Posted on 08/14/2026 4:55:04 PM PDT by Libloather
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a former New Mexico lawmaker, was convicted Friday morning on all 37 federal charges, including money laundering, bribery, and mail fraud.
Stapleton did not respond to questions from reporters walking out of federal court Friday afternoon.
According to the federal indictment, Stapleton conspired with her longtime friend Joseph Johnson to steal millions in federal money. Prosecutors said she used her position at Albuquerque Public Schools as an educational director to receive $1.2 million in kickbacks while funneling a total of $3.2 million to Johnson's company, Robotics.
Johnson's company had supplied a computer program called CyberQuest to APS to help students with math, and Stapleton was responsible for administering those funds.
Prosecutors said Stapleton received blank checks from Johnson's company, which she used for personal expenses. Both Stapleton and Johnson received over $1 million from the scheme, according to prosecutors.
Johnson’s attorneys said he had no knowledge that checks were being sent to Stapleton. When asked for comment on the verdict, Johnson declined, saying, "Good day."
Stapleton’s defense attorneys acknowledged she took money but argued she stole it privately from Johnson’s company, not from taxpayers.
(Excerpt) Read more at koat.com ...
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Perfect candidate for governor(D)
Johnson’s company had supplied a computer program called CyberQuest
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/communities/cyber-quest.html
A “free” program that they sold to schools?
GREAT
At the start of the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Federici highlighted that roughly 73% of the more than $3 million received by the company from the school district and federal vocational funds constituted profit. He stated that the co-defendants split those funds for their personal use.
Sheryl Williams Stapleton is an American politician and educator who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1995 until her resignation in July 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she also served as the majority floor leader in the House from 2017 to 2021.
YOGI knows....Boo Boo, too.
I clicked on the actual article. Political party not mentioned...lol
Last time I saw a hat like that was on the Parliment/Funkadellics tour.
Hard to find in the titles. This sounds like a big fish.
Former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico convicted in federal fraud case
https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/08/14/former-new-mexico-lawmaker-fraud/
Do it yourself reparations.
How about the rest of the filthy New Mexico democrats?
Wow New Mexico imported the ghetto and got the shaft. Why would they vote for THAT? New Mexico is what 1% black?
Maybe she shops at Funkadelic R Us.
Why do you suppose the article didn’t mention her political party?
I guarantee there’s a lot of them who are glad she’s gone.
From the excerpt posted however not a single mention of party affiliation.
🎶🎶🎶🎵 Like a Rhinestone Cowboy 🤠🤠🤠 🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶
Hmmm, what is it that people like her always seem to have in common?
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