The state has agreed to pay about $200,000 to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee of the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority who alleged he was fired for refusing to participate in transactions he believed violated procurement rules and state law.
Shatona Martin, a former chief procurement officer for the agency, sought an unspecified amount in damages, including back pay and reinstatement or “front pay,” plus legal costs, in the complaint he filed in July 2020 in state District Court.
According to an April 13 agreement posted on the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, the agency agreed to issue a payroll check to Martin in the amount of $20,000 and the state agreed to a $180,000 settlement.
Martin said Monday he was not reinstated to his job as part of the settlement and has since retired.
"I knew I was right," Martin said. "I just had to make sure they did the right thing. I'm just going to put it behind me and move on."
Public School Facilities Authority Executive Director Martica Casias declined to comment on the case.
Martin's lawsuit detailed nine instances in which he alleged the authority's administration or former Executive Director Jonathan Chamblin tried to persuade him to take part in actions he felt violated his training or the law.
Neither Chamblin nor his attorney responded to calls seeking comment.
Several of Martin's allegations were related to the agency’s work improving broadband capabilities at public schools across New Mexico,...
Over the last year, beyond traditional healthcare and federal procurement matters, the government has pursued federal False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and enforcement across high-risk areas, i...