Sheryl Williams Stapleton found guilty on all counts

Key Points:

• Former New Mexico House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton and co-defendant Joseph Johnson were found guilty on all counts in a federal trial for an eight-year scheme to steal over $2 million in state and federal education funds intended for Albuquerque Public Schools' technical education programs.
• Stapleton was convicted on 31 felony counts including bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and tax fraud, while Johnson was convicted on 28 counts; both were released pending sentencing, which will be scheduled within 90 days.
• The scheme involved Stapleton depositing checks meant for Robotics Management Learning Systems, Johnson’s company, into accounts she controlled, including family and nonprofit accounts, diverting funds from educational programs.
• Stapleton still faces 28 state criminal charges and is scheduled for trial in October; her attorneys have questioned the necessity of the state prosecution given the federal convictions, while the New Mexico Department of Justice is reviewing its options.
• Stapleton resigned from the state legislature in 2021 following investigations and was fired from APS; during the trial, her defense admitted to some theft but denied stealing from taxpayers, asserting the money was taken from Johnson’s company.