Federal Jury Convicts Former New Mexico Lawmaker in Multi-Million Dollar School Funding Scheme
Following a nine-day trial, a federal jury has convicted former State Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton and her associate Joseph Johnson on all counts stemming from a lengthy corruption scheme. Prosecutors showed that Stapleton used her positions at Albuquerque Public Schools and in the New Mexico Legislature to steer millions of dollars to Johnson’s company while secretly receiving large payments in return.
From July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2021, Stapleton, 69, served as Director of the Perkins Project and Career and Technical Education Coordinator for Albuquerque Public Schools. In that role she directed approximately 40 percent of the district’s non-personnel funding to Robotics Management Learning Systems, the company owned by Johnson, 75. The firm installed CyberQuest software in classrooms and received a total of $3.25 million from the school system, including $2.52 million in federal Perkins funds.
At the same time, Stapleton represented New Mexico’s District 19 in the Legislature from 1995 to 2021 and served as majority floor leader from 2017 to 2021. She sponsored and advocated for bills and capital outlays that directed additional funding to Albuquerque Public Schools for career and technical education programs. Those funds then flowed to Robotics through contracts she helped facilitate.
As the district’s career and technical education official, Stapleton reviewed and approved Robotics invoices and instructed subordinates to approve them as well. Checks from the school system were mailed to a post office box that Stapleton personally retrieved and deposited into the company’s bank account. Johnson then supplied her with blank company checks that she used for her own benefit.
Court evidence showed that roughly 38 percent of the money Albuquerque Public Schools paid to Robotics—approximately $1,152,506—went to Stapleton. Of that amount, more than $286,772 was directed to S. Williams & Associates, a company she owned and controlled. Another $313,123 went to Taste of the Caribbean, a restaurant she owned that was operated by family members. She routed $479,961 to the Ujima Foundation, a nonprofit she and Johnson ran together, and sent $72,649 to other individuals and parties for goods and services, including a home remodel.
The pair concealed their financial relationship. Stapleton failed to report the substantial income she received from Robotics on required state financial disclosure forms and federal tax returns. Johnson took similar steps to hide the arrangement.
Stapleton was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, five counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, 13 counts of mail fraud and honest services fraud, three counts of making and subscribing false tax returns, nine counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Johnson was convicted of the same charges.
The court ordered Stapleton released pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. She faces a potential maximum penalty of 524 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Johnson faces a possible maximum of 515 years.
The case highlights the real cost of corruption in public education and government. Taxpayer dollars intended for students were diverted through a carefully managed scheme that mixed legislative influence with administrative power. As voters continue to demand greater accountability and results from public institutions, convictions like this reinforce the need for transparency and consequences when officials place personal gain above their duties.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
