Problems for politician Sheryl Williams Stapleton are nothing new. They go back as far as 2011 when as Democratic Whip she was forced to apologize to then Gov. Susana Martínez. The reason for the apology was a derogatory comment Wiliams Stapleton made referring to the governor as “the Mexican on the fourth floor”.

Now some ten years later, Williams Stapleton, who served as House Majority Leader until her resignation last Friday, July 30, is on the firing block once again. This time Williams Stapleton, a more than 25 year veteran of the state legislature, is faced with serious criminal allegations of fraud, racketeering, kickbacks, money laundering and the violation of a New Mexico law concerning the conduct of state legislators. 

Although Williams Stapleton denies all allegations, they and the criminal investigations into them will certainly affect the former congresswoman’s future political career. In her resignation letter, Williams Stapleton states, “Due to the recent allegations that have been lodged against me, which I unequivocally deny, I have made the difficult decision that it is in the best interest of the State that I resign my position as the Majority Floor Leader and a member of the House of Representatives. This is a decision that weighs heavily on me…” The former Majority Floor Leader goes on to say that she will “remain loyal” to her constituents and colleagues and that she pledges her support in the “continued operation” of the House of Representatives and the “transition” of her position. 

Investigations at both the state and the federal levels are being conducted. These inquiries seek information about Williams Stapleton’s dealings with an Albuquerque Public School District (APS) vendor, Robotics Management Learning Systems, LLC. This firm has provided online learning materials to Albuquerque Public Schools for many years. During  these years APS has spent millions of dollars with Robotics Management Learning Systems, LLC. Accusations suggest that Williams Stapleton personally received through non-profits and companies under her ownership $935,000 in “kickbacks” from Robotics Management Learning Systems, LLC. 

At the state level the office of Attorney General Hector Balderas has been conducting its investigation since April and has served search warrants on Williams-Stapleton’s home, her business, her APS office and her office at the legislature. At the federal level a grand jury subpoena seeks records from the APS that parallel those wanted by the office of Attorney General Balderas. 

Not only has Williams Stapleton resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives but she has been placed on paid administrative leave as director of APS Career and Technical Education Department by APS Superintendent Scott Elder. In addition, Superintendent Elder has placed 11 other employees on administrative leave while APS conducts its own internal investigation into the spending practices of the district.

Wiilliams Stapleton has not been charged with anything and is regarded as innocent until proven guilty. Still, Superintendent Elder states in a letter to APS employees, “Sheryl Williams-Stapleton, director of the APS Career and Technical Education Department, has been placed on administrative leave as customary pending the criminal investigation outcome. Please understand that I cannot discuss the details of the case because it could jeopardize the criminal investigation. What I can tell you is that the alleged scheme involved a long-time APS vendor and may have cost APS millions of dollars through a series of transactions over more than a decade.”

An article in the New Mexico Political Report states that New Mexico’s governor Michelle Lujan Grisham  is “deeply, deeply troubled” by the alleged activities of Williams Stapleton. Gov. Grisham says,  “…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.”

A Democrat from Albuquerque, Williams Stapleton was the second highest ranking member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. According to her website, she served as the voice of the people and represented them with the “upmost humility, dignity and respect”.

As of this writing, Williams Stapleton’s Facebook page has been removed and she has not been available for further comment. Her website, however, is up and running. Turning 64 last Friday, the day she resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives, Williams Stapleton is remembered as the first black woman to be elected to the New Mexico legislature. That was in 1995. Now in 2021 her future is unknown.