New Mexico’s top prosecutor is suing Western New Mexico University's regents and outgoing president to try to undo a lucrative severance package that included a nearly $2 million payout approved in the wake of a scathing report that detailed wasteful spending and lax financial oversight at the school.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Monday filed an emergency motion in court to stop Western New Mexico University (WNMU) from paying a near $2 million severance payment to departing President Dr.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed a court motion to block a $1.9 million severance payment to former WNMU President Joseph Shepard. The motion claims the payment is a misuse of public funds and violates the fiduciary duties of the Board of Regents.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a motion to block a $1.9 million buyout for the departing president of Western New Mexico University.

The Attorney General is asking a court to act after WNMU paid outgoing president Joseph Shepard a $1.9 million severance payment negotiated, he says, in violation of state laws.