Sheryl Williams Stapleton convicted in New Mexico school fraud case

Former New Mexico Democratic legislator Sheryl Williams Stapleton has been convicted on dozens of federal charges in connection with a long-running scheme to divert public school funds. Prosecutors established that Williams Stapleton used her position as the career and technical education director for Albuquerque Public Schools to direct more than $3 million to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a company owned by her friend and co-defendant, Joseph Johnson.

According to the indictment, much of the diverted money consisted of federal funds intended for vocational education programs. Johnson allegedly provided blank checks to Williams Stapleton, who then wrote approximately 230 checks totaling $1,152,506 for her own personal benefit. Williams Stapleton, who was first elected to the state House in 1994, faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.