Below are press links related to our recent lawsuit, Nadine Trujillo v. City of Española and David Valdez, an action under the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act (“NMWPA”).

$18,000 Goes ‘Poof’ from Española Vault
More than $18,500 was discovered missing from the City of Española’s utilities department April 12, but Española Police Department Officers were not assigned to the investigation until nearly two weeks

‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’: City Manager Fired, Banned Amid Two Investigations
The Española City Council voted 7-1 to fire City Manager David Valdez at its Tuesday meeting amid two separate investigations into alleged theft from a city vault and discrepancies in

Española theft case: Ex-city manager is main suspect
Woman who reported theft of $18,000 files for whistleblower protection. There’s been a lot of turmoil in Española over money that went missing from a city vault earlier this year.

Lawsuit: Former City Manager Forced Whistleblower to Resign
A former city of Española employee has filed a lawsuit against the city government claiming she faced retaliation and other mistreatment after she reported nearly $18,000 missing from the city’s

Española, N.M. City Manager Lingers Near Vault on Day Money Went Missing
David Valdez, the former city manager of Española, New Mexico, was charged with felony theft and embezzlement last week in Colorado relating to water payments which never reached the accounts of the Colorado City Metropolitan District, where he worked as district manager before coming to Española. O…

Former City Manager Gambled Colorado Money
Former Española City Manager David Valdez used over $4,000 of his previous employer’s funds at casinos in 2015, according to credit card statements from the Colorado City Metropolitan District.

Colorado City Missing Records from Former Española Manager
The Colorado City Metropolitan District Board publicly acknowledged the alleged and concrete discrepancies around former district manager and former Española city manager David Valdez’s financial practices in the District for

Ex-Colorado City Manager Faces Theft, Embezzlement Charge
The former district manager of Colorado City has been charged with theft and embezzlement following an investigation by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s

Theft, Embezzlement Charges Filed against Former Colorado City District Manager
David Valdez is accused of felony theft and embezzlement related to thousands of dollars missing from cash utilities payments.

Former City Manager Charged with Felony
David Valdez, the former city manager of Española, New Mexico, was charged with felony theft and embezzlement last week in Colorado relating to water payments which never reached the accounts of the Colorado City Metropolitan District, where he worked as district manager before coming to Española. O…