Jury finds retaliation in PRC firing

KRQE TV

Kayla Ayres

Updated: Jan 19, 2013 4:59 PM

A fired employee of the state Public Regulation Commission won his whistleblower lawsuit Friday, and taxpayers could be on the hook for $1 million.

Aaron Feliciano's suit was the first under New Mexico's 2010 Whistleblower Protection Act.

Feliciano claimed in 2009 state Insurance Superintendent Mo Chavez and PRC Chief of Staff Dan Mayfield fired him because he complained to the Attorney General's Office that they were going soft on insurance agents and companies that broke the rules.

He also said they pressured him to hire one of their friends who was not qualified for the job.

Feliciano's attorneys told KRQE News 13 the jury awarded damages of $355,000, which will be doubled under the Whistleblower Act.

Attorney's fees will bring the total to about $1 million.
 

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