According to a letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, agents have requested a judge grant forfeiture of around $455,000 relating to the case of ex-House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D-Bernalillo), who was accused of graft of millions from children at the Albuquerque Public Schools.
In September, the FBI seized around $3 million connected to Stapleton. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the U.S. Attorneys’ letter aks approval to “‘forfeit and condemn’ part of the seized federal funds related to Robotics checks that went to a nonprofit called the Ujima Foundation.”
According to research done by the Piñon Post in a sweeping report, over the course of decades, Stapleton allegedly funneled millions of dollars into Robotics Management Learning Systems, LLC and other shell companies run by Washington, D.C.-based Joseph Johnson. Johnson is a former cabinet secretary who was forced to resign in disgrace following corruption charges during the Toney Anaya administration.
He has since been involved in multiple cases regarding public corruption in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and now again in New Mexico.
“Federal agents in the fall seized more than $1.5 million from the Bank of America account for Robotics. Agents also seized more than $1 million from Bank of America accounts tied to those businesses and foundations linked to Williams Stapleton, plus a 2017 Volvo,” reports the New Mexican.
“Federal agents also took $452,419.56 being held in the 2nd Judicial District Court related to state charges against the former lawmaker — funds the U.S. Attorney’s Office now wants. That agency also wants the Volvo, which was partially paid for by Williams Stapleton with Ujima Foundation funds.”
Despite Johnson claiming Stapleton had no connection with Robotics Management Learning Systems, LLC, the two have been connected since they both attended college at New Mexico State University and first got involved in politics through the socialist “Rainbow Coalition,” which Stapleton is still listed as the contact for the group in New Mexico.