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The Latest: State Auditor Also Probing MLK State Commission

Hector Balderas

The latest on New Mexico Attorney General's Office's investigation into the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

The New Mexico State Auditor's Office says the embattled Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission also is under investigation by its office for fraud and abuse.

State Auditor spokeswoman Justine Freeman said Tuesday that the commission has been on the state's "at-risk" list for two years and now is facing an investigation.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday it was launching its own investigation into the commission but declined to comment further.

Commission executive director Kimberly Greene told the New Mexico State Board of Finance last month the agency overspent nearly $100,000 after Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton asked her to agree to a no-bid contract with an ACT/SAT prep company.

Greene and Stapleton did not return phone messages from The Associated Press.

5:00 p.m.

The head of the embattled Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission says the agency overspent nearly $100,000 after a Democratic lawmaker pressured her to sign a contract.

Commission executive director Kimberly Greene told the New Mexico State Board of Finance last month that Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton asked her to agree to a no-bid contract with an ACT/SAT prep company. Greene says Stapleton had sought $60,000 for the program but Gov. Susana Martinez had line-item vetoed it.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday it was launching an investigation into the commission but declined to comment further.

Greene did not immediately respond to an email and phone message.

Stapleton also did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

The agency promotes diversity and events around Martin Luther King Day.

12:40 p.m.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation into the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission.

Agents conducted a search warrant at the African American Performing Arts Center in Albuquerque on Tuesday but officials declined say what agents sought.

New Mexico Attorney General's Office spokesman James Hallinan confirmed that the office was conducting an investigation surrounding the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission. He declined to comment further.

Commission executive director Kimberly Greene did not immediately respond to an email. A phone message to the commission was not immediately returned.

The state agency promotes diversity and works to reduce violent activity by juveniles.

It also conducts the MLK Annual Youth Conference and Youth Leadership Conference.

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