Former New Mexico Deputy Insurance Superintendent Joe Ruiz apparently plans some sort of legal action in the aftermath of his sudden dismissal.
Mr. Ruiz's attorney, Ron Morgan, confirmed that his client was dismissed effective July 31 without a stated reason.
"Mr. Ruiz will be securing the services of an attorney specializing in employment law," the Albuquerque-based attorney said.
Public Regulation Commission Chief of Staff Daniel Mayfield could not be reached to confirm the dismissal or its rationale.
In New Mexico, the insurance department is run under the aegis of the PRC, one of whose commissioners, Lynda Lovejoy, issued a statement expressing concern about the dismissal, saying the reasons for it were not made clear to commissioners.
"There was no clear disciplinary plan, no written citations for violations, and no opportunity was given for this person to be heard before the commission during the closed session," Ms. Lovejoy wrote.
She also said, "I believe this individual, who has given many years of service to the PRC, should have been afforded that courtesy."
Mr. Morgan said he was out of state when Mr. Ruiz was given a deadline of Friday noon to either quit or be fired on Thursday.
Earlier this year, Mr. Ruiz's name was mentioned in a lawsuit that alleged former Insurance Superintendent Eric Serna offered favorable regulatory attention in exchange for contributions to Con Alma, a nonprofit health foundation he founded.
In May, Mr. Serna resigned his post after being temporarily sidelined while he was under investigation for corruption-related charges.
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