ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The state has agreed to settle a lawsuit with a whistleblower who accused the New Mexico Department of Health of nepotism and financial irregularities.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/RCEQEB) that under a settlement agreement made public last week, former state Department of Health manager Diane Moore received $225,000 and agreed to resign and never seek reinstatement.
She filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the agency in 2010, but continued working there as the employees she complained about filed internal grievances against her.
Moore's allegations involved the health department during former Gov. Bill Richardson administration, but the state's decision to fight the case continued through the first year of Gov. Susana Martinez's tenure.
In the settlement agreement of October 2011, the department denied liability and denied all of Moore's allegations.
