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Former New Mexico Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Diverting Public School Funds
- On Friday, former New Mexico Democratic House majority leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton pleaded guilty to state fraud and money laundering charges, three weeks after a federal jury convicted her of a yearslong scheme.
- Prosecutors alleged Williams Stapleton diverted more than $3 million in vocational education funds from Albuquerque Public Schools to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a firm owned by her associate Joseph Johnson.
- Evidence from the federal trial showed Williams Stapleton ushered the company's invoices through procurement while Johnson provided blank checks; both failed to report payments from Robotics on federal income tax returns.
- Under the plea agreement, Williams Stapleton faces a 10 1/2-year prison sentence and more than $1.8 million in restitution, which Lauren Rodriguez of the New Mexico Department of Justice said exceeds state capacity.
- Johnson also awaits sentencing after jurors convicted him in the federal case, and attorneys for both indicated they would appeal the federal verdicts, though an attorney for Williams Stapleton did not respond to comment requests.
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Associated Press News+22 Reposted by 22 other sources
Former New Mexico lawmaker pleads guilty to diverting public school funds
A former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico already convicted in federal fraud case has pleaded guilty to related state charges.
·New York, United States
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Sentencing set for former New Mexico lawmaker convicted of embezzlement
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A sentencing date has been set for the former state lawmaker who swindled millions of dollars from Albuquerque Public Schools. Last month, a federal jury convicted S…
·Albuquerque, United States
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Total News Sources25
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 43%
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