State officials demanded Monday that the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Foundation return another $147,000 of $812,500 in state funds that had been intended for completion of a fresco of New Mexico history.

The Foundation had already surrendered more than $138,000 in March.

Auditors did not ask to see Foundation bank statements for the account into which state funds were deposited, State Auditor’s Office Chief of Staff Evan Blackstone said Monday evening.

A Bernalillo County Clerk employee is being accused of stealing nearly $23,000 from taxpayers.

Clifford Valencia was arrested on Thursday afternoon and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on embezzlement charges.

Questionable charges on Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block’s state issued gas card have prompted a new multi-agency investigation into the embattled officials actions.

Block denies the charges that he used the card to fill up other personal vehicles in exchange for cash.

State Auditor Hector Balederas told Veritas tonight that he’s making the investigation a top priority.

These allegations come just days after other criminal charges were reinstated by the state Court of Appeals.