Former governor will relinquish squash blossom necklace

Former Gov. Susana Martinez will return a squash blossom necklace to the Museum of New Mexico, ending an ownership dispute over the gift she received while in office, the head of the state Department of Cultural Affairs said Thursday.

“We anticipate the necklace will be in DCA’s possession by end of day,” Cultural Affairs Secretary-designate Debra Garcia y Griego said in an email.

The New Mexican reported Thursday that Martinez had claimed the necklace was a personal gift and that its ownership shouldn’t have been transferred by the Governor’s Office to the Museum of New Mexico.

Martinez received the necklace in 2011 during her first year in office. Transfers of gifts to the Museum of New Mexico are customary, according to Garcia y Griego.

Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/former-governor-will-relinquish-squash-blossom-necklace/article_415f848f-11fc-546d-8d1b-9bbbb853ee40.html


Former Gov. Susana Martinez will return this squash blossom necklace to the Museum of New Mexico. Courtesy Department of Cultural Affairs