Former Deming High secretary named in civil suit filed by Deming Public Schools

Jul. 25--DEMING -- Deming Public Schools and New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority have filed a lawsuit against former Deming High School Head Secretary Beatrice Armendariz for allegedly embezzling $130,000 to $140,000 from 2012 to 2016.

The plaintiffs are seeking $131,175, from Armendariz for restitution, costs and legal fees.

The lawsuit, filed on July 18, in 1st Judicial Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, provides details of separate incidents in which Armendariz, who worked at DHS from 2012 to 2016, "intentionally exercised dominion and control for personal means."

At one point, Armendariz invited another employee to accompany her in buying televisions for the school and advised the colleague she was also purchasing a personal television. It was discovered that Armendariz used DPS funds to purchase her television and that she did not follow protocol by providing a receipt.

Armendariz also failed to turn over donations that were intended for beneficiaries and raised funds for children involved in a car accident -- one of whom died -- to families.

Armendariz requested the Agriculture Mechanics class to build her a trailer, but never paid for it and did not deposit computer fees she collected from students into DPS' bank account.

The lawsuit states that the defendant failed to provide receipts throughout her career due to printer issues, but every time a tech was sent out to fix the machine, they would find the printer working.

In response to these lost funds, DPS hired Jaramillo Accounting Group, a forensic auditing firm. JAG produced a 63-page audit report in which it names Armendariz in all allegations of misuse of a district purchase card, activity funds, purchase orders and receipts.

In August 2018, DPS received a check for $130,000 from the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority to help account for the stolen amount.

Board of education members unanimously approved to file a civil suit against Armendariz during a school board meeting on Thursday, June 20, to recuperate audit report costs and additional legal fees.

Xchelzin Peña may be reached at 575-305-5532 or at xpena@demingheadlight.com.

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