Current:Home > InvestFormer high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico pleads not guilty in federal fraud case-LoTradeCoin
Former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico pleads not guilty in federal fraud case
View Date:2024-12-23 16:56:51
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico has pleaded not guilty to numerous federal charges stemming from a corruption investigation into allegations that millions of dollars meant for educational programs in the state’s largest school district were diverted to businesses and charities in which she had an interest.
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, 66, entered her plea Tuesday during an initial court appearance in Albuquerque. The judge ordered her and a co-defendant released on their own recognizance. They also were ordered to surrender their passports.
A grand jury indicted Williams Stapleton in March on charges that included bribery, mail fraud and money laundering. Those federal charges are on top of money laundering, racketeering and other counts that had been filed in 2021 by state prosecutors. That case is still pending.
A former state House majority leader and an administrator with Albuquerque Public Schools, Williams Stapleton was first elected in 1994. She resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives two days after search warrants were served at her home during the summer of 2021. The school district also fired her from her role there.
According to the federal indictment, the Albuquerque district had paid more than $3 million to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based company at the center of both state and federal charges. Most of that money came from federal funds meant for vocational education programs.
Co-defendant Joseph Johnson, 72, is accused of providing blank checks to Stapleton, who in turn wrote around 233 checks totaling $1,152,506 “for her own benefit,” the indictment states.
Johnson, the owner of Robotics Management Learning Systems, also pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
Williams Stapleton, Johnson and their attorneys declined to comment while leaving the courthouse on Tuesday.
If convicted, court documents show the two defendants could be forced to forfeit millions in cash or property connected with the allegations.
New Mexico has witnessed a string of corruption scandals involving high-level public officials over the years. Jail sentences were handed down on convictions against former Democratic state Sen. Phil Griego in 2018 for using his position as a legislator to profit off the sale of a state-owned building and in 2015 against Republican ex-Secretary of State Dianna Duran for using campaign funds to fuel a gambling addiction.
Before that, Democrat Manny Aragon — the former Senate majority leader — was sentenced to federal prison for his role in a kickback scheme in which millions of dollars were stolen from the construction of a courthouse for New Mexico’s busiest judicial district through false and padded invoices. Known for years as the most powerful force in the Legislature, Aragon was released from prison in 2013.
veryGood! (26385)
Related
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Long COVID has affected nearly 7% of American adults, CDC survey data finds
- Lebanese military court sentences an Islamic State group official to 160 years in prison
- Demi Moore Shakes Off a Nip Slip Like a Pro During Paris Fashion Week
- Stock market today: Asian stocks decline as China stimulus plan disappoints markets
- Ariana Madix Reflects on “Devastating” Tom Sandoval Scandal During DWTS Debut
- Storms batter Greek island as government prioritizes adapting to the effects of climate change
- Police charge man in deadly Georgia wreck, saying drivers were racing at more than 100 mph
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- A Belgian bishop says the Vatican has for years snubbed pleas to defrock a pedophile ex-colleague
Ranking
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- Charges refiled against ex-Philadelphia officer who fatally shot man after judge dismissed case
- 'America's Got Talent' judge Simon Cowell says singer Putri Ariani deserves to win season
- Egyptian rights group says 73 supporters of a presidential challenger have been arrested
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas are having a messy divorce. But not all celebrities are.
- Pregnant Jana Kramer Shares Bonding Moment Between Fiancé Allan Russell and Ex Mike Caussin
- Biden's dog, Commander, bites Secret Service staff again
Recommendation
-
FanDuel Sports Network regional channels will be available as add-on subscription on Prime Video
-
How Landon Barker Really Feels About Dad Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian Expecting a Baby Boy
-
Texas family sues mortuary for allegedly dropping body down flight of stairs
-
Bruce Springsteen postpones all 2023 tour dates until 2024 as he recovers from peptic ulcer disease
-
Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts ‘lawfare’ as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint
-
Level up leftovers with Tiffani Thiessen’s surf & turf tacos
-
A professor quietly resigned after 'falsifying grades'. Then she went to teach at another Wisconsin campus.
-
Damian Lillard is being traded from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks, AP source says, ending long saga
Like
- Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
- John Legend, 'The Voice' 4-chair 'king,' beats Niall Horan in winning over Mara Justine with duet
- The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion Trailer Welcomes Back C.T. Tamburello and Other Legends