New Mexico Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, who also serves as the House Majority leader and an employee of Albuquerque Public Schools, is being investigated for racketeering and money laundering.
According to KRQE, a 32-page search warrant was executed at Stapleton's home and business on the morning of July 28, as she is being accused of stealing more than $5.3 million from Albuquerque Public Schools for more than 13 years.
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said he hoped the state will take measures to reduce conflicting interests moving forward.
“I would hope the New Mexico legislature will strengthen conflicts of interest and certain disclosures in order to mitigate some of these risks,” he said.
The investigation occurred when APS Superintendent Scott Elder reported red flag behavior by Stapleton this year, which led to the search warrant. Elder composed a letter to Balderas expressing his suspicion. The KRQE website has a copy of the letter.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement that said Stapleton was innocent until proven guilty, but that state officials would uncover the facts as the investigation unfolds.
“I am deeply, deeply troubled by the reports this morning about a law enforcement investigation into Rep. Stapleton,” she said. “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.”
According to Elder's letter, Stapleton is accused of having made years of requests for the procurement from a software company called "Cyber Quest," without the proper request for proposal and response as the procurement never happened, and the money was allegedly laundered by Stapleton.