AG Torrez filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent Western New Mexico University (WNMU) from disbursing a $1,909,788 severance payment to departing President Dr. Joseph Shepard. In seeking to prevent a gross misuse of funds appropriated to support the education of Western’s student population, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) argues that the Board of Regents acted “contrary to its fiduciary duty to the university, pledged public funds for a severance payment that is not supported by an employment contract, is not accompanied by legitimate consideration to the State, and is unconscionable as a violation of public policy and the public interest.” 
“This payment is an egregious misuse of public funds and a betrayal of the Board’s responsibility to act in the best interest of the university and its students. Dr. Shepard voluntarily resigned, and the Board had ample opportunity to negotiate a reasonable or no-cost separation agreement. Instead, they chose to pledge nearly $2 million in taxpayer money without justification or consideration of the public good.” – AG Torrez

​https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-attorney-general-raul-torrez-files-emergency-motion-to-halt-1-9-million-severance-payment-by-western-new-mexico-university-board-of-regents/​​