STATE OF NEW MEXICO

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

HECTOR H. BALDERAS
ATTORNEY GENERAL

September 25, 2017

Via Email
Dr. Analee Maestas
Board Member, District 1
Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education
6400 Uptown Blvd. NE
Albuquerque NM 87110
analee.maestas@aps.edu

Dear Board Member Maestas:

All public officials in the State of New Mexico have the duty to treat their position as a public
trust, to use their office to advance only the public benefit, and at all times act in a manner that
justifies the publics confidence in them. Because of this unwavering obligation, I am writing to
demand your immediate resignation from the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education.
In the wake of two years worth of highly concerning allegations regarding misuse of public
funds and gross fiscal mismanagement at La Promesa Early Learning Center while you were
Executive Director there, it is clear that you are no longer qualified to hold your position as a
board member.

On two occasions the State Auditor has conducted risk reviews of the school, concluding in the
first instance that you personally benefitted from the use of public funds by inappropriately, and
perhaps illegally, submitting a reimbursement request to the school for services that were
performed at your private residence. The second, and more recent review concluded that under
your management, a former employee, your daughter, appears to have embezzled nearly
$700,000. Both of these reviews resulted in referrals to local law enforcement, and those matters
are currently under investigation.

TOLL FREE 1-844-255-9210 TELEPHONE: (505)490-4060 FAX: (505)490-4883 www.nmag.gov

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. DRAWER 1508 - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 87504-1508
STREET ADDRESS: 408 GALISTEO STREET - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 87501
Those investigations appear to implicate potential violations of numerous criminal and civil
statutes. While those matters are pending, the New Mexico Constitution does not require that you
be found guilty of any conduct related to them to be declared unfit to hold your office, and your
oath to uphold the very same Constitution now demands your resignation. If you do not
immediately resign, as required by that oath, my office will take all appropriate legal actions.
Please promptly respond to this demand.

Sincerely,

Hector Balderas
Attorney General

Cc:
Board of Education, Albuquerque Public Schools
Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski, New Mexico Department of Education
Honorable Raul Torrez, Second Judicial District Attorney
Chief Gorden Eden, Albuquerque Police Department

TOLL FREE 1-844-255-9210 TELEPHONE: (505)490-4060 FAX: (505)490-4883 www.nmag.gov

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. DRAWER 1508 - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 87504-1508
STREET ADDRESS: 408 GALISTEO STREET - SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 87501