NM wildfire claims office director on ‘administrative leave’ following six-figure payout

A FEMA headquarters email to claims office staff, which Source obtained, does not say how long the leave will be or what prompted it.

By: Patrick Lohmann

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: February 12, 2026

Words: 882

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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Jay Mitchell, director of a multi-billion-dollar federal claims office for northern New Mexico wildfire victims, has been placed on “administrative leave” following revelations of a six-figure payout he received for smoke damage at his Angel Fire home, according to an email Source New Mexico obtained Thursday.

Mitchell and his wife Lisa received payments totaling more than $500,000 for smoke damage and business losses from the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire through a $5.45 billion fund …

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