SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) –New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez says he is concerned about the buyout the outgoing president of a New Mexico university is getting. On Friday, Western New Mexico University President Dr. Joseph Shepard announced in a Board of Regents meeting he would be stepping down in mid-January. Western New Mexico University under scrutiny for spending The move comes as the school has faced controversy for spending more than $200,000 on travel and lodging from July 2018 to June 2023, according to a state audit. This audit also revealed more than $145,000 in credit card spending, including funds for furnishing Shepard's residence. Torrez released a statement Saturday saying in part that the $1.9 million settlement is extremely concerning in light of the state audit. He also says the New Mexico Department of Justice will be conducting a separate inquiry and will examine if the Board of Regents has acted in the best interest of the University and New Mexico taxpayers.