Dear Editor:

As a resident of Grant County I read the report of the State Auditor. I was astonished that the Auditor took such a cavalier attitude towards what was casually labeled a "misappropriation "… of over THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

The report dances around the issue of who exactly at the University was responsible for the complete failure to properly protect the public from this tragic abuse of taxpayer funds. From the report and otherwise we can reasonably conclude that management and the Board of Regents completely ignored years of financial abuse. However, also it seems clear that current university employees who either condoned or facilitated the misappropriation will not be identified or disciplined.

The audit is such a whitewash that it even fails to name the 2 main perpetrators involved in this fleecing of the taxpayers. We all know who they are. It wouldn't exactly be a profile in courage to name these grifters. It's a shame that they had to flee the scene in disgrace, but at least they had nice vacations, expensive furnishings, and lush expense accounts while they were here.

So, to sum it up, we the taxpayers will be expected to suck up this loss and we will have to be content with…exactly what? Blah blah about "improved" internal procedures? Promises not to do it again? Thoughts and prayers?

We can only assume that, ultimately, no one will be held responsible for any of this and no real changes will be made.

Anyone still wondering why the educational system in New Mexico is rated last or near dead last? Look no further.

Sincerely

Len Giusti
Hanover, New Mexico