Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The former inspector general for Albuquerque, Melissa Santistevan, has filed a lawsuit against the city and Mayor Tim Keller claiming she was wrongfully removed from her position. The lawsuit states Santistevan faced harassment during committee meetings where reports of fraud, waste or abuse within the city were presented. KOAT’s legal expert John Day noted that similar cases have occurred in the past where politics interfered with a watchdog’s duties. In March Santistevan announced that nine reports of fraud, waste and abuse were completed after November 2024 but in a public letter this spring she stated the release of these reports was blocked after an Accountability in Government Oversight meeting was cancelled and four reports have yet to be released. Santistevan was placed on leave and was not rehired when her contract expired in June.
