June 03, 2026
Woolf alleges in a new lawsuit he was directed to give state funds to a friend of the board chair.
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New Mexico Highlands University president Neil Woolf, who was placed on administrative leave last month, alleged in a new lawsuit that he was sidelined for refusing to comply with illegal orders.
Woolf said in the lawsuit filed against the university that Board of Regents chair Frank Sanchez directed him to steer $600,000 in state funds to a contractor who is also a friend, The Albuquerque Journal reported. Woolf alleged that he was told to cancel an existing contract for work on a new track facility at NMHU’s Las Vegas campus and to redirect those funds to a company owned by a friend of Sanchez. Woolf alleged that he was put on leave when he refused.
