POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 14, 2026Miami-Dade

Federal jury convicts former New Mexico state representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton of fraud and bribery

A federal jury found former New Mexico House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton guilty of dozens of charges, including bribery, mail fraud, and money laundering, for diverting public school funds to a private company. The conviction follows allegations that she funneled over $3 million in federal vocational education funds to a business owned by an associate in exchange for kickbacks. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing.

corruptioneducationfraudcriminal justice
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

The conviction concludes a high-profile case involving the misuse of over $3 million in public education funds intended for vocational training in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Key Facts

  • Sheryl Williams Stapleton was found guilty of over three dozen federal charges including bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy.
  • The scheme involved diverting over $3 million in federal vocational education funds from Albuquerque Public Schools to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC.
  • Prosecutors alleged that approximately 73% of the $3 million paid to the company was profit shared between the co-defendants.
  • Williams Stapleton allegedly issued approximately 230 checks totaling $1,152,506 from the company's accounts for her personal benefit.
  • Joseph Johnson was also found guilty of similar charges including bribery and money laundering.
  • Williams Stapleton faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
  • A separate state-level trial regarding money laundering and racketeering charges is scheduled for October.
  • Williams Stapleton resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2021 following a search of her home.
  • The defendants were accused of failing to report income from the scheme on federal tax returns.

Who's Mentioned

organizationAlbuquerque Public Schools“School district that paid funds to the company”personSheryl Williams Stapleton“Former New Mexico House Majority Leader and former administrator for Albuquerque”personJoseph Johnson“Co-defendant and owner of Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC”personFred Federici“Assistant United States Attorney”organizationRobotics Management Learning Systems LLC“Company at the center of the fraud scheme”personAhmad Assed“Defense attorney for Williams Stapleton”