Ex-New Mexico legislator pleads guilty to fraud, money laundering charges
TL/DR –
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to state charges of fraud and money laundering. Williams Stapleton is accused of diverting millions of dollars from vocational programs in New Mexico’s largest school district to businesses and charities with which she was involved. Under the plea agreement, she is expected to face a 10 1/2-year prison sentence and pay more than $1.8 million in restitution.
Ex-New Mexico Democrat Leader Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, former esteemed Democratic legislator in New Mexico, admitted to state charges including fraud and money laundering. She was implicated in misappropriating millions intended for vocational education in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest school district, toward businesses and charities she had affiliations with.
The guilty plea came three weeks after she was convicted on multiple similar federal charges for a prolonged financial scheme.
Money laundering, racketeering, and other charges were lodged against Williams Stapleton in 2021. The plea deal agreed on drops all but four charges and includes a 10 1/2-year prison term and restitution exceeding $1.8 million.
Lauren Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Justice, hailed the guilty plea as holding Williams Stapleton accountable for defrauding New Mexico taxpayers and breaching the public trust.
Williams Stapleton, a one-time state House majority leader and Albuquerque Public Schools administrator, was first elected in 1994. Following search warrants served at her home in summer 2021, she resigned from the House, and the school district terminated her.
Prosecutors implicated Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based company in both state and federal cases, claiming the district paid over $3 million to the firm. Williams Stapleton, as the district’s career and technical education director, ensured program funds were directed to Robotics, owned by her friend and co-defendant Joseph Johnson.
The two, Williams Stapleton and Johnson, are yet to be sentenced for the federal case. Their attorneys earlier indicated they would contest the federal verdicts.
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