State aid worker accused of embezzling

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) - His job was supposed to help the neediest New Mexicans, but instead of helping, investigators said he was stealing thousands of dollars from them and from taxpayers.

David Montaño, 43, is charged with embezzlement and 14 counts of making false vouchers, which are felonies.  A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 15, and he was arrested, then released May 24, according to court records.

According to investigators, Montaño was a state Human Services Department employee who worked in the Low Income Support Division office for San Miguel County in Las Vegas.  His job was to review and process applications from people applying for assistance, such as LIHEAP, the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program, HSD spokesman Matt Kennicott said.

But instead of applying for the benefit like everyone else, Kennicott said Montaño used the federal funds as his very own bank account.

"(Montaño) had been cutting checks, or what we call warrants, to himself for some time," said Kennicott.

Over a three-month period last summer, investigators said Montaño defrauded taxpayers of more than $4,000 by writing false checks. Kennicott said the state only caught on after Montaño's estranged wife reported that she received one of these checks even though she never applied.

"That's taking money away from people who more than likely need it for to help them survive on a daily basis," said Kennicott. "Especially with the economy the way it is right now and has been in years past, a lot of families need assistance right now."

Montaño was fired from his state job last summer for reasons that weren't criminal before investigators uncovered the scheme, according to Kennicott.

"We hope this serves as an example to our employees that if you're doing this, you will be caught and we will punish you," said Kennicott.

Last year, the state got more than $7 million from the federal government for LIHEAP assistance, which helped more than 60,000 families.