Woman faces embezzlement, fraud charges in Sunland Park investigation

New Mexico State Police have filed embezzlement and fraud charges against a former consultant for the city of Sunland Park.

Dona Ana County District authorities say the charges were filed Thursday against Annette Morales, who owns the Las Cruces-based company Medius Inc.

They say charges stem from a March 2011 contract between Morales and Sunland Park for $1 million for providing the strategic framework for a border crossing.

Medius collected more than $457,000 from the city between April and August 2011. The Sunland Park City Council terminated the contract last Sept. 7, citing unsatisfactory work performance.

Police say more than $250,000 of the money paid to Morales wasn’t within the scope of the contract, was contrary to the stated deliverables and invoices and was inconsistent with the expenditures she claimed.