ALBUQUERQUE – Just weeks after finding tens of thousands of dollars in inappropriate spending by Democratic House Candidate Andrea Romero, a new report shows that State Auditor Wayne Johnson has uncovered more abuse of taxpayer dollars at a state-funded agency that is supposed to help feed senior citizens. KRQE reports that Johnson's audit found $118,000 in taxpayer funds used for parties, alcohol, dinners, hotels, a staff retreat, and even laser tag.
"New Mexico taxpayers should be confident that government agencies are spending their money responsibly, but unfortunately that is not always the case," said RPNM Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi. "As State Auditor, Wayne Johnson has rooted out corruption and inappropriate spending, ensuring that New Mexico tax dollars are going toward essential services rather than parties and fancy dinners. Auditor Johnson has proven that he will be relentless in protecting taxpayer money and has earned the trust of voters for a full term on the job."
Audit: Agency that feeds seniors spent thousands on parties, booze
KRQE
August 22, 2018
According to a just-released audit, an agency given millions of dollars from the state to care for New Mexico's senior citizens is instead spending that money on parties, booze and expensive retreats.
"They clearly were not worried about ever being caught," said State Auditor Wayne Johnson.
The state gives the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging, or the NMAAA, millions of dollars a year to care for New Mexico Seniors. The NMAAA provides meals to more than 72,000 seniors in every New Mexico county besides Bernalillo.
"It's quite literally food on their table," said Johnson.
Johnson says an eight-month audit proves, instead, the NMAAA spent more than $118,000 of that state money on frivolous things for themselves rather than on the seniors they're tasked with caring for.
"They were partying while seniors were going hungry," said Johnson.
According to the audit, the NMAAA spent:
-$7,921 on a "staff retreat" at the Hotel Andaluz
-$1,490 on parties at Main Event
-Around $3,500 on boozy dinners at expensive restaurants like Santa Fe's Capital Grill and Eloisa Restaurant, as well as Tucanos Grill in Albuquerque
-More than $500 on flowers
-More than $25,000 on hotels and lodging
"It certainly would've helped a few seniors have a few meals now wouldn't it?" said Johnson.
Johnson says they spent all of that while cutting more than $617,000 in senior services statewide.
"This organization was out there playing laser tag and out there throwing $8,000 parties while they were reducing services," said Johnson.
On top of all the parties, in 2017 NMAAA illegally handed its employees $40,000 in bonuses. Meanwhile, all other employees paid by the state were facing a furlough proposed by Gov. Susana Martinez to balance the budget.
"They were just fiddling while the rest of the state burned," said Johnson.
Read the full story on KRQE.com