ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Longtime state lawmaker and Albuquerque
Public Schools employee Sheryl Williams Stapleton is accused of
stealing millions of dollars from taxpayers. Wednesday morning, law
enforcement agents executed a search warrant on her home and
businesses where the allegations were revealed.

Man, animal or inbetween?

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/sites/default/files/Sheryl_Williams
_Stapleton_wm.png

In 1984, Williams Stapleton joined the Albuquerque Public School
District as an elementary school teacher. In 1991, she was elected
vice chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party, and later served as
its chair.

A 32-page search warrant outlines how Stapleton is accused of
stealing more than $5.3 million from APS, starting 13 years ago. It
was uncovered shortly after APS Superintendent Scott Elder took over
and reported suspicious behavior this year.

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21018633/aps-
superintendents-letter-to-attorney-general.pdf

According to the search warrant, it didn’t take long for the
Attorney General’s Office to uncover evidence of possible
racketeering, money laundering and receiving kickbacks. They allege
that Stapleton convinced APS to contract with a software company to
provide services to students. However, they allege that the company
never produced a workable program and was not a legitimate company.
They were paid more than $5 million over 13 years.

Wednesday agents were at Stapleton’s home gathering potential
evidence of that. They were also at her business the “Taste of the
Caribbean,” a restaurant near the University of New Mexico where
investigators believed she used some of that stolen money. They also
allege Stapleton used her position in the Roundhouse to funnel other
state funds to two nonprofit foundations she ran.

The New Mexico Attorney General says this all went unreported until
recently. “I would hope the New Mexico legislature will strengthen
conflicts of interest and certain disclosures in order to mitigate
some of these risks,” said Hector Balderas, New Mexico Attorney
General.

Balderas would not say what charged his office is looking to pursue.

According to APS’s website, Stapleton is CTE Coordinator/Director,
Perkins Project Director for Albuquerque Public Schools. Rep.
Stapleton represents District 19. She has been a representative
since 1995. This past legislature, Representative Sheryl Williams
Stapleton was re-elected as Majority Floor Leader. She is the
longest-serving Democratic member in the New Mexico House of
Representatives.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement:

“I am deeply, deeply troubled by the reports this morning about a
law enforcement investigation into Rep. Stapleton. People are
innocent until proven otherwise, and I know investigators will
follow the facts wherever they lead. I await more information like
all New Mexicans. But I will say that public confidence in
government is seriously damaged by even the appearance of
impropriety, or illegal activity, which is why public officials must
always hold themselves to the highest possible standard of behavior.
New Mexicans expect and deserve elected officials who, regardless of
party, will put the people before themselves. Anything less violates
a sacred public trust and must be dealt with accordingly.”

GOV. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM
New Mexico Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, House Majority Whip
Doreen Gallegos, and House Majority Caucus Chair D. Wonda Johnson
issued the following statement:

“We are shocked and dismayed by the deeply troubling allegations
against Rep. Stapleton. We have counted her as a valued colleague
and have never seen any instances of impropriety or criminal
behavior in her work serving in the House, but New Mexicans deserve
to know that their elected officials hold the highest ethical
standards and are free of corruption. We will fully cooperate with
investigating authorities and will closely monitor the situation as
the facts come out regarding these allegations. We will also begin
today the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee process to
appropriately investigate all allegations related to legislative
service.”

The State Auditor released the following statement Wednesday
evening:

“The Office of the State Auditor worked with the Attorney General’s
Office on this case, as it has with many others, and will continue
to provide support going forward. The Office of the State Auditor
will always stand for accountability in government and that
accountability is deeply critical when it comes to elected
officials.”

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/search-warrants-
executed-at-rep-stapleton-home/?ipid=related-recir