A newly filed whistleblower and racketeering lawsuit from disgraced former Western New Mexico University (WNMU) President Dr. Joseph Shepard has exploded into one of the most serious allegations of political retaliation and corruption in recent New Mexico history. The 75-page complaint, filed in Grant County District Court, names as defendants WNMU, Senate Finance Chairman George Muñoz, former State Senator Siah Correa Hemphill, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, State Auditor Joseph Maestas, and WNMU Board of Regents Vice Chair John Wertheim.
Shepard’s lawsuit claims he became the target of a coordinated campaign to destroy his career and reputation after he exposed what he describes as a fraudulent $1 million legislative appropriation involving Sen. Correa Hemphill and Sen. Muñoz. The appropriation allegedly funneled taxpayer dollars through WNMU to the Aldo Leopold Charter School, where Correa Hemphill’s children attended. Shepard alleges the money was laundered to benefit the senator and her husband, Jay Hemphill, a WNMU photographer, and that another $250,000 was steered to the university’s Mimbres Press to publish a photography book by her husband.
According to the complaint, when Shepard raised concerns about the scheme in 2023, Sen. Muñoz threatened him directly, saying he would “use all of his powers as Chair of the Finance Committee” to conduct an audit and “make life difficult for Shepard”. Shortly afterward, the Office of the State Auditor launched multiple investigations into WNMU, aided by the State Ethics Commission and the Higher Education Department. Shepard claims these probes were politically motivated efforts to discredit him after he reported the alleged corruption to state officials, including Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
The lawsuit also implicates powerful Democratic figures in a broader retaliatory conspiracy. Shepard alleges that Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, a political ally of Correa Hemphill, helped coordinate a smear campaign through media contacts, while Auditor Maestas abused his office to “weaponize” investigations against him. The filing accuses WNMU Regent John Wertheim—a former state Democratic Party chairman and ally of Sen. Muñoz—of colluding with newly appointed Regents to invalidate Shepard’s separation agreement and faculty contract in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
Shepard’s court filing portrays a pattern of political vengeance and state overreach, calling the affair “a roadmap to what transpires if you are deemed a threat to power.” It draws parallels to the political retaliation faced by his wife, former CIA operative Valerie Plame, after her identity was exposed during the Iraq War scandal.
The former university president argues he was unlawfully terminated in July 2025, seven months after a previously approved settlement with the university. He claims the retaliation escalated even after an independent forensic audit cleared him of any wrongdoing—finding no fraud, misuse of funds, or personal enrichment.
Shepard’s complaint seeks damages for retaliation, defamation, and violations under New Mexico’s Whistleblower Protection Act and the state’s RICO statute, asserting that public officials used “the power and unlimited resources of the State to destroy a citizen and his reputation.”
“This case is about principle,” the lawsuit declares. “It brings to light the pervasive corruption in the state of New Mexico that keeps it mired at the bottom of nearly every national ranking of value.”
“As a state senator whose district includes Western New Mexico University, it was my job to ensure transparency and accountability, and that includes asking why Dr. Shepherd was spending public money for first class travel and expensive furniture,” Correa Hemphill told the Albuquerque Journal. “It is disheartening that, out of his position as president, Dr. Shepherd is misrepresenting facts in a lawsuit to attack my credibility. The truth is that his claims are based on legislative funding that he asked for himself, and I trust the court system to set this straight.
“For now, though, I invite the community and media to help ensure that the facts are presented accurately. We all share a common goal of strengthening WNMU and the community.”
The explosive allegations are likely to send shockwaves through state government, potentially implicating top legislators and officials in what Shepard’s attorneys describe as an “orchestrated campaign of retaliation and cover-up.”
Read the full lawsuit for yourself here:
his claims will go no where. this is a state by and for the powerful elected democrats with liberal judges that defend them at every turn.
“Disgraced” former WNMU president? I take issue with that description
of Dr. Shepard. I tend to believe his allegations against those people he named in his lawsuit. I wish him well in his fight to restore his reputation and professional career.
This is another Democrat abuse of power and is no surprise because that is how democrats operate. I hope he wins but it will likely be squashed by the democrat-controlled state government. It is a crying shame that the people in the two largest cities in New Mexico can control the entire state Thanks to the Guv’s gerrymandered redistricting. (You know, like the ones they are fighting in Texas) I love New Mexico but if the Dems here don’t change their politicians that keep the state at the bottom of good lists and the top of bad ones’ I may have to take my retirement dollars and relocate as I did when I left California due to one party rule which is killing that state.
So this Siah Whoreae Humphill with the help of others funneled $1 million to her children’s school and a quarter million dollars to her husband for a picture book but this ex WNMU president is the bad guy because he bought furniture??? Ok.
I’m glad Mr. Shepherd has the wherewithal to sue this government Gustavo/mafia cartel. This abuse is just as corrupt with the NM Racing Commission if not worse. The five political governors appointee’s ‘s for this governing agency approved by the legislature is and has from the start been in violation of the statute regulating it. This commission dissolved expunged obliterated the NM Horsemen which is a 401)3c organization who contributes to the safety, accountability fairness and betterment of racing as well as the watchdog for the purse money due them. Sam Bregman who is one of Paul Blanchards minions did this. Not only absolving the NMHA voice, he stopped their funding, each tracks horsemen dully elected committees and the state representatives of these committees. This in retaliation for the horsemen suing each race track and the racing commission for stealing the purse funds (2-3million). A case the NMHA won as well that the NM Gaming Commission be added for sanctions. The NMHA were also to receive the attorneys fees $250k. Only caveat was that the NM Legislature clarified the gray area of wording that said the purse money can ONLY be used for the “purse” money. The purse money was never reimbursed nor was there payment of attorney fees. There is more where a legislator was able to reduce Paul Blanchard’s (&2-$3 million) lease from the NM State Fairgrounds to $250k per year. Paul Blanchard’s racino/slot gaming facility is NOT attached to the grandstand as required by law and the Indian Compacts. The NMRC is catering completely to Blanchard and the other two licensees. Blanchard has control of the Downs of Albuquerque, NM State Fairgrounds and within this current year developed some sort of a shell gaming organization where he is now leasing and in control Sun Ray Park in Farmington, NM. There is much more of vindictive and retaliation actions perpetrated by this bogus regulatory agency. If Mr. Shepherd’s attorney would like more evidence of the corruption and cronyism with this political appointed agency I and another horseman has documented proof of how deep this corruption goes. Sorry I took up so much space here but thermistor much more.
Hopefully he won’t be Hillaried. It won’t do any good to fight though. Dems own this state, whether they’re “elected” or just selected.
Wow. A state RICO case? Now this will be worth watching…
I hope he’s willing to take it all the way to the Supreme Court. Nothing will happen in this disgrace of a state.
Welcome to New Mexico where the “pay to play” is the preferred way of the Dembocraps! Until the people wake up and quit voting in the corrupt, New Mexico will never be known as a good,productive state. AND Dipshit Deb Haaland is one of the worst choices New Mexicans can make! Not only did She turn her back on the tribes when she was here she shat on them and New Mexico!
The funny thing here is All of the parties in this comedy are former co-conspirators. They are All Demorat Cockroaches. The reason this whole Criminal Enterprise has blown up is because some of the crooks didn’t want to cut up the STOLEN TAX MONEY evenly. All of these WEASELS belong UNDER THE JAIL.