Mora County officials push back on audit over wildfire relief funds
Updated
Updated · Santa Fe New Mexican · May 6
Mora County officials push back on audit over wildfire relief funds
10 articles · Updated · Santa Fe New Mexican · May 6
The audit found more than $3m was mishandled, including nearly $169,000 spent renovating a privately owned theatre after New Mexico's Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
At a special meeting on Tuesday, officials disputed parts of the findings but also acknowledged the forensic investigation's conclusions on procurement and other violations.
State Auditor Joseph Maestas said Mora County had been entrusted with $41m in public money to help the community recover from the state's biggest modern wildfire.
Could Mora County’s mishandling of wildfire relief funds jeopardize future recovery efforts and delay help for residents still struggling after the historic fire?
How did weak internal controls and high turnover allow $3 million in relief funds to be misused, and what reforms could truly prevent repeat failures?