EPCOG head reinstated following investigation

 The head of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments has been cleared in an internal investigation and recently returned to his duties, according to organization officials.

EPCOG Executive Director Lee Tillman was placed on unpaid leave about two weeks ago while the investigation was conducted, EPCOG Executive Board Chairman Gary Watkins said.

Watkins would not comment on the nature of the investigation although he said it was not criminal.

"There were just some personnel issues that we just had to check into," Watkins said.

"It was just some little issues and we just wanted to get some things cleared up. He's been cleared of everything and (we're) back to business as usually."

The investigation took around a week and a half and Tillman was reinstated, Watkins said.

EPCOG officials declined to provide the exact dates he was on leave and when he returned to work.

EPCOG Deputy Director Nick Brady also declined comment on the matter, citing confidential personnel matters.

Brady said Tillman was out of town until the end of the week on personal time.

Tillman did not return a call seeking comment.

EPCOG is a consortium of city, county and village governments in a seven-county region of eastern New Mexico that administers grants and promotes economic and community development, according to EPCOG officials.

Watkins said a second, unidentified employee was also placed on unpaid administrative leave but has been cleared as well and is expected to be reinstated soon. 

He would not say if the second employee's case was related to Tillman's.

Tillman was appointed executive Director of EPCOG in 1975, according to the National Association of Development Organizations Web site. 

Tillman said in January he plans to retire this summer.

Watkins said he believes Tillman's retirement is slated for mid-summer.