FORMER NEW MEXICO LAWMAKER AND BUSINESS OWNER CONVICTED IN $1.15 MILLION PUBLIC-FUND SCHEME

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — August 14, 2026 — A federal jury has convicted former New Mexico State Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton and business owner Joseph Johnson on every count brought against them in a yearslong bribery, fraud, tax, and money-laundering case involving millions of dollars intended for career and technical education programs.

The verdict followed a nine-day federal trial. Evidence established that Stapleton used her positions within Albuquerque Public Schools and the New Mexico Legislature to direct public funding to Robotics Management Learning Systems, a Washington, D.C., company owned and operated by Johnson.

Stapleton then secretly received approximately $1.15 million from Robotics through businesses and organizations she controlled or operated.

The federal case against Stapleton and Johnson was announced in March 2024. The conduct established at trial occurred from approximately July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2021.

Stapleton, 69, worked for Albuquerque Public Schools as director of the Perkins Project and coordinator of Career and Technical Education. In that position, she controlled or influenced the distribution of funding used to support career and technical education programs.

Stapleton directed approximately 40 percent of Albuquerque Public Schools’ non-personnel career and technical education funding to Robotics for the use and support of its CyberQuest software in district classrooms.

From 2013 through 2021, Albuquerque Public Schools paid Robotics approximately $3.25 million through contracts covering the software and related services. Approximately $2.52 million of that amount came from federal Perkins funds intended to support career and technical education.

Stapleton simultaneously served in the New Mexico Legislature. She represented District 19 from 1995 through 2021 and served as majority floor leader from 2017 through 2021.

While holding legislative office, Stapleton sponsored and advocated for legislation and capital outlays that directed additional funding to Albuquerque Public Schools for career and technical education programs. She then used her school district position to direct portions of that funding to Johnson’s company.

The contracts were facilitated through procurement exemptions, sole-source contracts, and a later request-for-proposals process.

Stapleton reviewed and approved invoices submitted by Robotics and instructed Albuquerque Public Schools employees working under her supervision to approve the invoices. The school district issued checks payable to Robotics and mailed them to a post office box in Albuquerque.

Stapleton personally retrieved the district’s checks and deposited them into the Robotics bank account. Johnson supplied her with blank checks from the company’s business account, allowing Stapleton to redirect money paid to Robotics for her own benefit.

Trial evidence showed that Stapleton obtained approximately $1,152,506 through checks issued from the Robotics account. That amount represented approximately 38 percent of all money Albuquerque Public Schools paid to the company.

Approximately $286,772 was directed to S. Williams & Associates, a company Stapleton owned and controlled. Another $313,123 went to Taste of the Caribbean, an Albuquerque restaurant owned by Stapleton and operated by members of her family.

Approximately $479,961 was directed to the Ujima Foundation, a nonprofit organization operated by Stapleton and Johnson. Another $72,649 was paid to other parties for goods and services benefiting Stapleton, including remodeling work performed on her home.

The Ujima Foundation was represented as an organization established to address educational, social, economic, and health issues affecting people of color in New Mexico.

During the period in which approximately $479,961 flowed from Robotics into Ujima Foundation accounts, the organization claimed to have distributed approximately $46,700 in scholarships. Bank records showed that only approximately $2,000 went toward scholarships. Most of the remaining money benefited Stapleton or was withdrawn in cash.

Stapleton and Johnson concealed their financial relationship and the movement of money from Albuquerque Public Schools to Robotics and then to Stapleton and the entities under her control.

Stapleton omitted substantial income received from Robotics from required state financial disclosures and federal tax returns. Johnson concealed his financial relationship with Stapleton by supplying blank Robotics checks and certifying in company proposals and agreements that no conflict of interest existed.

The jury convicted Stapleton 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 federal tax returns, nine counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Stapleton was convicted on 32 federal counts. She faces a combined statutory maximum of 524 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Johnson 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, nine counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Johnson was convicted on 29 federal counts. He faces a combined statutory maximum of 515 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The stated maximum penalties represent the combined statutory exposure across all counts. The final sentences will be determined by the federal court.

Both defendants were released pending sentencing. Sentencing hearings have not been scheduled. The court will also determine whether restitution must be paid and the amount of any restitution order.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said Stapleton placed her financial interests ahead of the students, taxpayers, and institutions she was entrusted to serve.

IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown said Stapleton and Johnson used fraud, kickbacks, money laundering, and false tax returns to divert educational funding for personal benefit.

FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris said the convictions demonstrated that holding public office does not shield a person from accountability for using government authority for unlawful personal enrichment.

The IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Federici and Rick Mendenhall are prosecuting the case.

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