Current:Home > ScamsNew Mexico to pay $650K to settle whistleblower’s lawsuit involving the state’s child welfare agency-LoTradeCoin
New Mexico to pay $650K to settle whistleblower’s lawsuit involving the state’s child welfare agency
View Date:2024-12-23 15:53:39
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department has reached a $650,000 settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit brought by two former agency officials.
The settlement was announced Tuesday, just weeks before the case was scheduled to go to trial in a state district court in Santa Fe.
The suit was brought by former CYFD public information officer Cliff Gilmore and his wife, Debra Gilmore, who headed the agency’s office of children’s rights.
The couple were both fired in 2021 after raising concerns about the CYFD’s practice of conducting official business through an encrypted messaging app and automatically deleting messages in potential violation of New Mexico’s public records law, according to their lawsuit.
“We wanted to hold CYFD accountable and stand up for others who may have been treated the way we were,” the Gilmores said in a joint statement. “We aimed to shine light on what we believed to be wrongdoing that was directly harmful to the very children that CYFD was sworn to protect.”
CYFD admitted no wrongdoing or liability in agreeing to settle and an agency spokesperson declined to comment other than to say the case had been resolved and the settlement was public.
veryGood! (731)
Related
- Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
- At least 32 people were killed in a multi-vehicle pileup on a highway in Egypt, authorities say
- Taylor Swift's '1989' rerelease is here! These are the two songs we love the most
- Seeing no military answer to Israel-Palestinian tensions, the EU plans for a more peaceful future
- Joey Graziadei Details Why Kelsey Anderson Took a Break From Social Media
- 2024 GOP hopefuls will defend Israel, seek donors at big Republican Jewish Coalition gathering
- On Halloween, here's how to dress up as earth's scariest critter — with minimal prep
- Q&A: This scientist developed a soap that could help fight skin cancer. He's 14.
- ONA Community Introduce
- Taylor Swift becomes a billionaire with new re-recording of 1989 album
Ranking
- Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
- Pope orders Vatican to reopen case of priest ousted from Jesuits after claims of adult abuse
- García’s HR in 11th, Seager’s tying shot in 9th rally Rangers past D-backs 6-5 in Series opener
- Road damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary reopens to Vegas-area mountain hamlets almost 2 months later
- Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion
- Taylor Swift's '1989' rerelease is here! These are the two songs we love the most
- How FBoy Island Proved to Be the Real Paradise For Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston
- Israeli hostage turns 12 while in Hamas captivity
Recommendation
-
Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
-
Halsey and Avan Jogia Make Their Relationship Instagram Official
-
New York City sets up office to give migrants one-way tickets out of town
-
2 dead in Mozambique protests over local election results, watchdog says. Police say 70 arrested
-
As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
-
Seeing no military answer to Israel-Palestinian tensions, the EU plans for a more peaceful future
-
The strike has dimmed the spotlight on the fall’s best performances. Here’s 13 you shouldn’t miss
-
Pat Sajak stunned by 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant's retirement poem: 'I'm leaving?'