Among numerous allegations,
He also said secret meetings held between state officials and Spaceport America’s most notable tenant —
The civil complaint filed in state district court lists numerous officials, including Gov.
DeGregorio, a certified public accountant who had worked for the spaceport authority for more than four years, posted a video statement about his lawsuit on social media. He said he wanted to set the record straight.
“I believe one person can make a difference in this world and I believe it's important to stand up for what is right,” he said.
The lawsuit also details alleged procurement violations and retaliation that DeGregorio faced after first reporting his concerns to officials in 2020. DeGregorio asked for a jury trial for the lawsuit, which seeks back pay, lost future earnings and other financial damages, including punitive damages.
DeGregorio's initial complaints triggered a 2020 investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, ethical violations and abuse of power by former spaceport director
"However, no conclusion has been reached on any related criminal matter at this time and we are still evaluating the new allegations contained in the complaint and will respond accordingly,” the office said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.
DeGregorio also listed Balderas and State Auditor
DeGregorio said the 2020 investigative report prepared for the state auditor’s office was flawed.
That report alleged DeGregorio assisted Hicks in circumventing procurement policies and evading internal controls. However, DeGregorio in his complaint stated that Hicks had repeatedly tried to get him to skirt the rules and that other spaceport employees were too scared to speak up.
DeGregorio alleged that the procurement violations continued after he resigned.
DeGregorio in the lawsuit accused Keyes — who also was appointed by
Sierra and Doña Ana counties both enacted local taxes to help repay bonds that funded construction of Spaceport America, a desert outpost just north of
DeGregorio accused state officials of using the Spaceport Authority to refinance the gross receipts tax bonds with the
He said rather than refinancing in the public market, the bonds were refinanced at higher interest rates and under poor loan terms that included a requirement for a large reserve fund.
DeGregorio alleges that Keyes was attempting to perform a sole source refinance directly with the
According to the lawsuit, the Finance Authority collected the tax revenue from the two counties and repackaged it into low interest loans to provide to other projects in other locations around
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