ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Attorney General is taking aim at Western New Mexico University and sending the message that rewarding the former president's questionable behavior, will not be tolerated. On Thursday, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez announced he's calling for even more action from the courts to revert or prevent the president from spending the $2 million payout.  "Egregious misconduct by the board of regents at Western New Mexico University and its outgoing President Dr. Joseph Shepard," said Torrez. Story continues below Weather: How long will the snow last in New Mexico? Community: Albuquerque Fire Rescue crews heading out to fight California wildfires National: Jimmy Carter honored with state funeral in DC before Georgia burial That is how New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez described the recent actions of Western New Mexico University leaders. This comes after President Shepard stepped down amid an investigation into his spending of university dollars on travel and high-end furniture.  On Monday, Torrez filed an emergency motion to stop a nearly $2 million severance payment that university Board of Regents approved for Shepard. However, while this investigation was ongoing, they learned Shepard received the money last week.   "So, while we are asking for documents and we are being told that no one is in the university to provide responsive documents, they are simultaneously expediting the payment request, expediting that process. And we do not yet know how and who was responsible for expediting that request," said Torrez. Torrez announced they've added to their emergency motion asking the courts to prohibit Dr. Shepard from spending that money. It also asks the courts to establish a trust where the money can be deposited until the legal dispute is resolved, something they say Dr. Shepard's legal team opposes.   "We asked point blank for him to put the money in a place, not delivered back to us, give it to the court until the court could determine the merits of our claims, the merits of the action. He refused," said Torrez.  Joining the Attorney General on Thursday was Speaker of the New Mexico House Javier Martinez to talk about preventing something like this from happening again. He says he's working on a legislative package to create more oversight of how public universities select and pay their leaders.   "Every university, every executive, every coach at every university, every reagent should be put on notice. The times of playing political games without public institutions is coming to an end," said Martinez. In addition to the severance payment, the regents also approved a new faculty position for Shepard. The AG's lawsuit looks to invalidate that contract. The Attorney General also wants to make it easier to remove university regents, a process that right now requires action from the State Supreme Court.  Shepard's last day is set for Jan. 14. The Board of Regents was comprised of board president Mary Hotvedt, members Mary Haviland, Dan Lopez, and Dalva Moellenberg, and student regent Trent Jones. Regents Haviland, Lopez, and Moellenberg resigned their positions. The terms of Hotvedt and Jones expired on Dec. 31. The governor said she did not intend to reappoint them. The governor said her office is reviewing candidates to replace the former WNMU board members.