Judge dismisses whistleblower suit

ALBUQUERQUE — The legislative advocacy non-profit “New Mexico Counties” celebrated in a news release last week the dismissal late last year of a lawsuit against Curry County by a former employee of the local jail.

Amanda Sinfuego had alleged the county violated the Whistleblower Protection Act and her civil rights in a complaint filed in July of 2015. In a summary judgment filed Dec. 27, federal district court judge James Browning ruled in favor of the county, its manager Lance Pyle and the Curry County Detention Center’s previous administrator Tori Sandoval.

The news release said Sinfuego was terminated from her position after violating the county’s sexual harassment policy, although Sinfuego denied that claim.

“The County is pleased with the Court’s ruling. The County has policies in place and provides training to insure a professional work environment and will not tolerate these inexcusable behaviors,” Pyle said in the release.

“We will continue to defend these frivolous lawsuits on behalf of the taxpayers and have recently filed with the Courts a tax cost bill against Ms. Sinfuego.”

Sinfuego’s defense counsel, Quentin Smith, did not respond to messages seeking comment.