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Employee remains silent out of fear

Last updated: 11/30/09 12:20am

A former colleague of Shannon Garbiso is speaking out about what she says her friend feels she cannot.

Maria Garcia, a former Human Resources consultant, attended the Nov. 10 Board of Regents meeting to advocate launching an independent investigation into the actions of UNM administrators regarding the Sept. 20 altercation between first-year head football coach Mike Locksley and former wide receivers coach J.B. Gerald.

What’s most disconcerting, Garcia said, is how the University has launched an internal smear campaign aimed at discrediting members of its own staff, specifically Garbiso — the Athletics representative who conducted the initial inquiry into the altercation and whose notes have been scrutinized by University officials.

Garcia said she is defending Garbiso, a decade-long friend and UNM colleague of four years, who has been forced to “backpedal” on her side of the story.

“I think it just rolls into a huge snowball of collusion,” Garcia said. “They are consistently not giving information that is true.”

Garcia said that Garbiso told her that she didn’t destroy the original copies of her notes, but instead turned the notes over to Helen Gonzales, vice president for Human Resources.

A University spokesperson said Gonzales was not available for comment on Sunday.
Garbiso did not respond to e-mails over the weekend, and she has not spoken publicly about the Locksley incident despite numerous media requests.

Garcia said she knows why: Garbiso fears for her job.

“She’s been called by a lot of media entities,” Garcia said. “(Garbiso) said, ‘I’ve had plenty of opportunities, but if I did go in front of the media, I’d lose my job.’ Basically, what you’re told as an HR representative is that you’re not supposed to speak to the media at all. It would be insubordination if you went in front of the media. I think they’ve convinced her that what they’re doing is best for Athletics, best for the University. She was quite upset when I spoke to her.”

Citing four phone conversations she had with Garbiso — two on Nov. 9 and two on Nov. 10 — Garcia jotted down notes of what the two discussed.

Those notes, which were provided to the Daily Lobo, along with Garcia’s first-hand account, indicate that Garbiso was “angry” with the way she was portrayed at a Nov. 3 news conference about the Locksley altercation.

Chief among Garbiso’s concerns, Garcia said, was how Gonzales said that Garbiso wasn’t a consummate professional trained to conduct an investigation into such matters and that her notes were not accurate but were paraphrased recollections of the coaches’ answers.

“She told me that she was angry with Helen and Paul Krebs for inferring that her investigation was not done correctly and that she ‘boggled’ the process,” Garcia wrote in her notes on the phone conversation, dated Nov. 9.

Garcia said it would be difficult to get the level of detail Garbiso’s interview notes contained if she had simply jotted down buzzwords of what the coaches told her.
“They used her notes from the investigation to give to the media,” Garcia said. “So they obviously have credence.”

Knowing this, Garcia said she made it a point of emphasis to ask Garbiso if she had summarized any of the coaches’ responses, to which Garcia said she responded, “No, I did not paraphrase.”

In her notes, Garcia also wrote that Garbiso felt like she was the “scapegoat.” That being the case, Garcia advised her to file a formal complaint to Human Resources and Office of Equal Opportunity, regarding her concerns. Garcia said Garbiso was initially receptive to the idea, but later grew weary of the suggestion and lost contact with Garcia after their conversation on Nov. 10.

At the Nov. 3 news conference, UNM President David Schmidly said the original copies of Garbiso’s notes were destroyed, though he didn’t clarify how such important documents were tossed aside.

At the news conference, Vice President of Human Resources Helen Gonzales said the only explanation as to why the original copies of Garbiso’s notes weren’t preserved was that Garbiso had disposed of them herself.

“Ms. Garbiso informed me yesterday, when she said that she hadn’t kept the notes, that she never thought that those were official University documents, that those were only her own notes as a result of an informal inquiry she was doing in the department,” Gonzales said.

Garcia said that isn’t the case, even though Garbiso isn’t likely to come forward and say anything to the contrary.

Describing Garbiso as “meticulous” and “detail-oriented,” Garcia said her former colleague wouldn’t have destroyed the notes. In fact, Garcia said Garbiso told her she didn’t destroy the notes.
“I made a comment of, ‘I know you, Shannon. You’re not going to go and destroy documents. That’s something that all HR representatives, employees, know that you don’t do,
especially when you’ve done a form of investigation.’ She kind of laughed and said, ‘No, you’re right. You don’t just destroy documents,’” Garcia said.
However, later that evening, in a phone conversation with Garcia at 5:21 p.m., Garbiso recanted her previous story, admitting that she had indeed destroyed the documents.
Basing her assumptions on previous statements Garbiso made to her over the phone, Garcia said Garbiso’s retraction raised red flags and led Garcia to suppose that Garbiso was being blackballed and feared losing her job.
“She actually said that (she was afraid of being fired),” Garcia said. “I think on the inside they are convincing her, ‘Well, OK, you say that you destroyed the documents — that way there’s no more questions about documents.’”

Editor’s Note:
Maria Garcia has a pending lawsuit against the University for violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act and violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act for pregnancy discrimination.

Published November 30, 2009 in News

31 comments



Corrupt Krebs Exposed by Emails

November 30, 2009 at 7:18 AM
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Emails reveal administration tension in Locksley incident
Posted at: 11/25/2009 5:23 PM | Updated at: 11/25/2009 6:08 PM
By: Jeremy Jojola, Eyewitness News 4, and Kurt Christopher, KOB.com

Eyewitness News 4 has uncovered what University of New Mexico officials were saying behind the scenes as the investigation into football coach Mike Locksley unfolded.
Investigative reporter Jeremy Jojola filed a records request more than a month ago to obtain emails regarding the incident. In one of those emails, UNM athletic director Paul Krebs writes that he is worried about his own future. He also expresses frustration over leaks in the department and how the story unfolded.

Read more …

It all began with the September 20th scuffle between UNM head football coach Mike Locksley and former assistant coach J.B. Gerald. Statements said an argument over football plays resulted in Locksley lunging at Gerald. Locksley was initially verbally reprimanded by the university and later placed on a ten-day suspension.

A month after Eyewitness News 4’s record’s request, the university did provide emails that had been sent out by Krebs during the time he was dealing with the media swarm.

In one email to a media consultant, Krebs writes about an October 13th ESPN article that broke the news about Locksley’s suspension: “Story broke on ESPN. Not sure how or where the leak came from as none of my staff knew except Greg [Remington] and Kurt.”

Krebs asks the consultant, “Any last minute advice? Feel like he may take me down with him.”

In another email sent to the same consultant, Krebs writes, “It is incredible how many people are using this as an opportunity to bash Mike [Locksley] and taking shots about everything about him.”

The emails also reveal an effort to get J.B. Gerald to speak about the incident. Nine days after the scuffle, athletics spokesman Greg Remington wrote to Krebs, “J.B. coming forward and saying something [positive] would sure soothe the situation.”

Krebs responded, “Suggest you try and reach out to him.”

Also among the emails is criticism about a sports reporter with The Daily Lobo school newspaper, Isaac Avilucea, who requested Locksley’s phone records and text messages. Associate director of athletics, Richard Pickering, writes to Krebs, “I just want to be careful dealing with Isaac because we know he will be subjective in his reporting and will look to portray us in a negative light.”

Krebs responds, “If we have to release them, we will. No way to spin numbers.”

Avilucea calls the “subjective” reference conjecture aimed at trivializing the true issue.

Eyewitness News 4 also requested emails sent out by UNM coach Locksley. We were told by the university that no sent emails exist from the coach.

Attempts were made to get comments from the university regarding this story, but calls and emails to the athletic department were not returned.

Read the UNM emails released to Eyewitness News 4


UNM Staff

November 30, 2009 at 7:32 AM
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Surprise! Surprise! I’m not! We all know why Shannon hasn’t come forward with her side of the story! Maybe she is using Maria as her mouthpiece so that she can tell her side without fear of university action against her?
Never the less, this whole mess will never be sorted out because there is no concern for UNM Employee’s unless you make six figures a year , can blow a whistle (literally!) and throw an invisible punch !


FBteammember

November 30, 2009 at 7:44 AM
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Now that our season ,if you wanna call it that?, is over I want to tell everyone that most of our football team has no respect for Coach Locks and we wish that someone do something to get rid of him. Most of our assistant coaches will probably leave UNM. I know I wish I would not have chosen UNM to play football at but, I’m stuck unless I want to sit out a year and transfer so I will try an make the best of it and get my degree. I just don’t understand why my head coach would be able to do what he has admitted to doing and still be allowed to lead us as young men? You can’t imagine how defeated I feel for next season too. I am not alone about my feelings. It’s hard to get excited at the thought of another season of Coach Locks.


Parent

November 30, 2009 at 8:59 AM
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AD-Paul Krebs, HR VP Helen Gonzales, President David Schmidly and Coach Mike Locksley have abused their power; Parents, students, faculty and taxpayers need to band together to put a stop to their corruption. Some are forgetting the value’s that a university is supposed to be instilling in our student athletes; integrity, morality, the value of winning through hard work, teamwork and determination. What coach Locksley has shown is the total opposite and the UNM administration has upheld this by deception, covering up and lying. Our students are paying the price for these immoral so called leaders. We can not afford to keep quiet to appease this worthless group of morons.

This video from KRQE News 13 reveals the deeply rooted corruption that exists at the UNM administration; ESPN OutSide the Lines interview with the assistant coach that Mike Locksley assaulted revealed more of the same; it is devastating and embarrassing for our university. http://www.krqe.com/dpp/sports/sports_blog/sportsblog_krqe_albuquerque_sports_office_short_locksley_and_otl_200911012043


Another UNM Staff Member

November 30, 2009 at 9:25 AM
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KUDOS to Isaac Avilucea for his search of the TRUTH; to coach J.B. Gerald for speaking truth, in spite of the corruption that plagues the UNM administration. Lastly, for the FBteammember who revealed “ to everyone that most of our football team has no respect for Coach Locks and we wish that someone do something to get rid of him.” It is young men like you who should be leaders not the unworthy scurrile—-Helen Gonzales, Paul Krebs, Mike Locksley, David Schmidly and the regents.


GPSA Council Chair

November 30, 2009 at 10:09 AM
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See http://www.unm.edu/~GPSA/council_schedule.shtml for compilations of Albuquerque Journal and Joe Monahan articles, letters and editorials on this issue.
KUDOs and Ata-Boys / Girls all around to the Daily Lobo editors and staff for bravely swimming in dangerous waters. There’s a way to go, but there’s a peaceful beach at the end of this swim.
Anyone who wants to compile Lobo articles, editorials and letters the way I did with the Albuquerque Journal please be in touch. I’ll gladly post that compilation as well.


Sampson

November 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
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Okay, Locksley has to go NOW! Krebs, Gonzales and Schmidly should be replaced asap. This has gone on long enough! We as New Mexicans, faculty, staff, students and parents will no longer look the other way. You are not adequate role models. GET OUT!!!


ched macquigg

November 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
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Long after the notes were supposedly destroyed, UNM released the back side of a sheet of paper; they said that they had inadvertently failed to copy the backside of one page of her notes.

How could they then copy and release that side, if the documents had been destroyed long since?

Read more …

It is time for an independent investigation.


Alumus

November 30, 2009 at 1:16 PM
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Absolutely, it is time for an independent investigation! Whatever trust we had in the UNM’s athletic department and the administration is gone forever; they lied to everyone. They want us to ignore all their immoral, dishonest and incompetent acts; it will not happen. This is a national embarrassment and is devastating for our university. GPSA should address the corruption that plagues our university; Locksley should be fired however, he should not be alone; others in the UNM athletics department and the UNM administration should go with him.


Jamie

November 30, 2009 at 1:48 PM
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As a NM citizen and taxpayer I definitely want to know: It’s unclear how much Sports Media Challenge, the national media relations firm, has been paid to help Krebs navigate the crisis. Athletics spokesman Greg Remington said it could be next week before the university could respond to questions about the cost and employment terms.

I am not surprised at this statement from Schmidly: The university has been inundated with requests to produce documents related to the Locksley situation. On Monday, UNM President David Schmidly reportedly warned the university’s senior administrators about leaving paper trails, reminding members of his executive cabinet that e‐mails, text messages and cell phone records are all subject to disclosure under the Inspection of Public Records Act, and he suggested they use landlines to make sensitive calls.


more than one investigation needed

November 30, 2009 at 1:55 PM
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The Locksley matter – and UNM’s attempts at coverup have really shown the problems in this administration.
The cover-up thing is the reason the English Dept. has had such problems. When Prof. Lisa Chavez did the sex work with students, with sexual photos of herself dominating, whipping student, etc. – Schmidly concocted an investigation too – to find nothing wrong! Everyone involved knows that investigation was a farce too.
The likes of violent Locksley and Chavez must love this administration, which has pretty much protected crazy workplace behavior.
The Locksley thing made big news because it is football, but UNM’s attempt to cover-up the s m sexworking Professor Chavez is a terrible insult to higher education..
That’s another place in serious need of an investigation.


Boycott UNM Athletics

November 30, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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From the Dominatrix Sex Scandal to Locksley’s assault on Gerald and other cases were the UNM administration has mishandled: This quote from Sharon Warner is true: “The similarities to the Locksley case are really quite striking, because in both cases somebody abused their power relationship,” she said. “Then the University pretended to do an investigation and the truth didn’t come out but they just said, ‘We’ve investigated; here are our findings; now go back to work.’” Until an independent investigation is performed and ALL those involved in the cover up are dismissed.

Boycott UNM Athletics!!!!!!!!!!!!


HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS

November 30, 2009 at 2:45 PM
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The school didn’t break the 25,000 ticket‐sale mark in any of its last three games, and the actual attendance was far lower —although exact attendance figures are impossible to calculate because UNM doesn’t keep track of the actual number of
fans at any game.

But Krebs acknowledged that the overall drop in ticket revenue hurts. “Half a million dollars is a real amount,” Krebs said. “You’re looking at an overall(athletic department) budget of $27 (million) or $28 million, that’s a reasonably
large chunk of money.”

Read more …

Locksley’s off‐the‐field issues has led to some calling for Locksley’s termination. A buyout of Locksley’s remaining five years on his six‐year contract would cost UNM in the neighborhood of $1.9 million — which would be a savings of more than $500,000 if the school continues to produces $500,000 shortfalls in ticket‐sales budget projections for the next five years.

UNM’s highest attendance came in 2005, when the school was coming off a 7‐5 season and three straight bowl appearances. And last year, the number of season tickets spiked in part because of the UNM‐Texas A&M game. UNM charged $50 a
ticket for the game, but fans could buy a season ticket for $72, which included the A&M game.

Krebs, who was hired in the spring of 2006, declined to comment about the concern over the receding fan interest or speculate why the decline has occurred.

I HAVE VOWED NOT TO SUPPORT UNM ATHLETICS UNTIL THESE BONEHEADS ARE GONE.


Schmidly loses no-confidence vote

November 30, 2009 at 3:06 PM
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UNM faculty senate also votes for audit

Updated: Thursday, 26 Feb 2009, 2:33 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 26 Feb 2009, 11:37 AM MST

Read more …

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – With a 329-106 vote, faculty at the University of New Mexico voted no confidence in the leadership of UNM President David Schmidly on Wednesday, according to a news release.

Faculty activists have been calling Schmidly’s administration “top-heavy” during an economic crunch, saying he’s added highly paid administrators, diverting money better spent in classrooms.

They also complained of nepotism referring to an attempt to hire Schmidly’s son who later went to work for a university contractor.

Faculty also overwhelmingly passed a no-confidence vote against UNM Vice President David Harris, 438-24.
The group also passed a resolution asking Gov. Bill Richardson to withdraw his nomination of Jamie Koch to another term on the board of regents, 482-7.

Faculty members also voted 471-18 to request an independent audit of several of the university’s funds spent since 2003, to be conducted by a firm chosen by State Auditor Hector Balderas and approved by the faculty senate.


Dawn

November 30, 2009 at 3:27 PM
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Unbelievable! What irresponsible journalism! You write an article based completely on hearsay and then put a tiny note at the end saying that the person who told you everything is suing the university?!? Maybe you should apply to the National Enquirer after graduation. I don’t know what’s worse…the fact that such an article was written or the fact that people believe you’ve dug for the truth. What a joke!


The Proof is in Black & White

November 30, 2009 at 3:43 PM
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The proof is in black and white; I think that ESPN report on Locksley sealed the fate of Schmidly, Krebs and Gonzales. The lame cover up was exposed. Local media was embarrassed by getting scooped, and they are mad. There is no more slack in that rope and that’s a fact.


dweller

November 30, 2009 at 3:49 PM
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If it was hearsay, there wouldn’t be any names. These are called sources class, and they make a story credible. Did anyone else find this out, did anyone else (The Journal, the news stations) uncover this truth? Uh, no…

This is a remarkable finding in uncovering the truth in this scandal. Now we KNOW that Garbiso was forced to say and do things she did not want to do. We now know that for some reason, the UNM admin wanted to dig themselves an extra 6 feet into their grave by saying her notes were “destroyed” when they weren’t.


killthelights

November 30, 2009 at 3:53 PM
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CHEERS to the truth!
I’ll drink to that.

I think we are all upset about this. But, Oklahoma State University did try to warn us about Schmidly back in 2007-

Read more …

“The Oklahoma State University Faculty Senate called for Schmidly’s resignation over the size of severance packages offered to former staffers from Texas Tech that Schmidly had hired at OSU

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_J._Schmidly


Alumna

November 30, 2009 at 4:17 PM
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True that…The Proof is in Black and White (See the Video Below) AD-Paul Krebs, HR VP Helen Gonzales, President David Schmidly, Coach Mike Locksley and the rest of their accomplices in crime; Do not attempt to play those lying, manipulative games with us; Parents, students, faculty and taxpayers see you for the worthless, incompetent, despicable, piece of crap that you truly are; from the day that Mike Locksley assaulted Coach J.B. Gerald the cover up started.

Locksley lied and ran to Krebs; together they decided to tell more lies; down play the assault sweep it under the rug. “No Punch was thrown, or I did not hit J.B. Gerald.” “Have Gerald give a statement and tell people it did not happen.”
(Gerald refused to lie) “Tell the other assistance coaches to shut up and not speak the truth.” (They told the truth; as was shown on ESPN OutSide the Lines and other News stations) “There is a leak, said Krebs”

Read more …

UNM administrators even destroyed some of the documents pertaining to the investigation; regarding the assault without much success (some of the documents are still surfacing.) ESPN OutSide the Lines was able to retrieve a few of the documents and in their interview with the assistant coach J.B. Gerald his version of the assault was confirmed; which was also validated by assistant coach Degory and two other assistant coaches; who witnessed the attack on coach Gerald by Locksley.

UNM administrators told the news stations that there weren’t any notes; the video below is from KRQE News 13 which reveals more of the deeply rooted corruption that exists at the UNM administration. Now we have these emails which further confirms what Coach Gerald said; that Krebs asked him to “give a statement to defuse (appease) not throw fuel on this damage control” (to lie) to which Krebs said he did not remember.

They fear Isaac Avilucea because of his unbiased and fair reporting’s. They fear Coach J.B. Gerald because he would not allow their lack of integrity and dishonesty to warp his values. Gerald was a graduate assistant for the legendary Joe Paterno at Penn State for three seasons from 2005-07. Do you think Joe Paterno would chock and punch his assistant? NO.

Whatever trust we had in the UNM’s athletic department and the administration is gone forever; they lied to everyone! They want us to ignore all their immoral, dishonest and incompetent acts; it will not happen! This is a national embarrassment and is devastating for our university. GPSA should address the corruption that plagues our university; Gerald should be compensated for these vicious acts against him; Locksley should be fired however, he should not be alone; others in the UNM athletics department and the UNM administration should go with him.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/sports/sports_blog/sportsblog_krqe_albuquerque_sports_office_short_locksley_and_otl_200911012043


Yolanda

November 30, 2009 at 4:52 PM
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From the cover up and destruction of documents pertaining to the assault on J.B. Gerald – former wide receivers coach, by coach Locksley, sex and gender discrimination – Commander James Daniels, Dominatrix Sex Scandal – a former director of the creative writing program, pregnancy discrimination – a former HR Representative and the recently settled age discrimination and sexual harassment case of – Administrative Assistant Sylvia Lopez. Many persons have in the past and are presently making legal claims against the UNM’s administration. However, it does not make their statements any less credible. The fact is that it has been revealed through witnesses and documentation that the UNM administrators are profoundly corrupt.


Student

November 30, 2009 at 5:12 PM
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They are using Ms.Garbiso as a scapegoat; I just hope she doesn’t allow those parasites to get away with it.

Helen Gonzales, Paul Krebs, Mike Locksley and David Schmidly are liars and extremely corrupt. These are not the type of leaders that should be in charge of our university. I saw the emails from Krebs and Locksley erased his emails. They all lied on Garbiso claiming that she destroyed the notes; according to Garbiso she turned the notes over to Gonzales. UNM administrators are not only incompetent but are vicious as well.

Read more …

Garcia said that Garbiso told her that she didn’t destroy the original copies of her notes, but instead turned the notes over to Helen Gonzales, vice president for Human Resources.

A University spokesperson said Gonzales was not available for comment on Sunday.


Pete

November 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
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NM has an open records law which is to enforce the state’s Right-to-Know law and to serve as a resource for citizens, public officials and members of the media in obtaining public records. The university hiding information, destroying notes and taking months to get information to the local media; further substantiates there is a cover-up and laws are being outright broken. Issac Avilucea requested phone records and text message transcripts to head coach Locksley’s university issued cell phone, to which he has yet to receive. It is great that someone is reporting both sides without bias. Apparently Issac Avilucea and Coach J.B. Gerald are not afraid to stand up for what is right and to the UNM corrupt administrators.

Somehow the sociopath Mike Locksley has erased his outgoing e-mails but, whether deleted or not should be accessible from the main UNM server. According to the emails from Krebs, Locksley did not create his own public speeches and didn’t want to do community services; sounds very insincere. When Locksley was interviewed by ESPN OutSide the Lines “he said he did not like the way that they portrayed him” Why? Because when the reporter asked Locksley a question and when he lied they would post the true statements; from the assistant coach Degory which told “how he tried to hold coach Locksley back as he chocked and punched Coach Gerald.” This was also validated by two other assistant Coaches who were eye witnesses to the assault. It made Locksley look like the lying fool that he is…


Faculty Observer

November 30, 2009 at 11:17 PM
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Is it just me ? or has anyone really taken note that UNM General Counsel Patrick Apodaca has curiously and just so coincidentally decided to resign his position effective at the end of the UNM two weeks Christmas break to pursue a “career advancement” as he calls it to be a V.P. at PNM.
Is he “in the know” that this whole debacle involving Locksley , Schmidly, Krebs , Gonzales, Garbiso & university legal counsel Bolnick , Pheiffer, and himself and he knows the roof is caving in? Watch the “rats scurry”!
Oh! by the way . . .two freshman football players today said “adios” to UNM and Locksley ….one asked for his immediate release and the other said “I quit”. Maybe the “miracle recruiter “ Locksley can replace them ….I don’t think so!!! So far UNM has only 3 verbal commits of football recruits …none blue chippers!!! and that was before the “rock’em sock’em choke’em and not punch’em” incident Sept.20 th! that happened to the recruiting coordinator for the Lobo football program! Enough is really enough. . .these bozo’s have to go!
My deepest and profound thanks to Ms. Garcia & Mr. Avilucea for marching forward in this sea of lies.
In time and with continued effort these people and their actions will be exposed!


Used to be a Lobo Fan

December 1, 2009 at 12:03 AM
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If it’s not a cover up ? It is an extreme example of complete incompetance on the part of some very well educated and well paid people with alot of responsibility and power!

Either way people and namely Schmidly , Krebs, and Gonzales, need to be replaced for their “actions” or lack thereof!


Faye

December 1, 2009 at 5:43 AM
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What is unbelievable is that Locksley assaulted a member of his staff, confessed to part of the assault; lied about it on national T.V. and is still employed at the UNM. The incompetent administration went along with the whole cover up and they still have jobs.

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