Former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico convicted in federal fraud case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former prominent New Mexico Democratic politician has been found guilty of multiple federal charges related to a scheme diverting public school funds to a friend's company for personal gain. Jurors reached their verdict on Friday after a trial that featured testimony from Williams Stapleton's former colleagues, investigators, and tax experts.

The 69-year-old former legislator, who could face up to 20 years in federal prison, was indicted in March 2024 on over three dozen counts, including bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud the federal government. The grand jury indicted her in addition to state prosecutors who filed charges in 2021 for money laundering, racketeering, and other offenses.

Williams Stapleton, who served as the former state House majority leader and head of the largest public school district in Albuquerque, was first elected in 1994. She resigned from the House just two days after search warrants were executed at her residence in the summer of 2021, and she was subsequently fired from her position in the Albuquerque Public Schools.

Prosecutors allege that the district disbursed more than $3 million to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based firm at the heart of both the state and federal investigations. Most of the funds came from federal money intended for vocational education programs. As the school district's career and technical education director, Williams Stapleton ensured that the school's vocational budget went to Robotics, which was owned by her friend and co-defendant Joseph Johnson, according to prosecutors.