Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s link to Robotics Management Studying Techniques
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Lawyer General’s investigation of Sheryl Williams Stapleton focuses on a connection in between the former Household Greater part Leader and a business enterprise termed Robotics Management Finding out Units. As Director of job and complex schooling at the Albuquerque Public Faculties, Williams Stapleton is accused of orchestrating beneficial contracts for Robotics to supply educational program to APS learners.
Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton Protection / Story continues below
Even though the faculty district has paid out Robotics $5.3 million in excess of the previous 15 a long time, the only 1 at APS who appears to be to know just about anything about the business is Sheryl Williams Stapleton. When an APS employee questioned the company’s expert services, Williams Stapleton reportedly questioned, “Why are you guys on the lookout into Robotics?”
In truth, Robotics is sort of a ghost.
The Robotics small business claims a web page, but it’s not operational. And, no one can obtain an Albuquerque or New Mexico company license for the firm. Robotics at the time had a business enterprise license in Washington, D.C., but it is given that been revoked. Robotics lists its CEO as Joseph Johnson.
Robotics directed APS to deliver its payment checks to an Albuquerque Post Workplace close to the Airport. Hundreds of countless numbers of pounds flowed from APS to P.O. Box 9323 in Albuquerque. So who owns that Write-up Business office box? Three years in the past, an Unclaimed Home report confirmed a person named David Hendrickson listing Albuquerque Article Business office Box 9323 as his address. Possibly it’s a coincidence, but A.G. Investigators discover Williams Stapleton’s son as David Hendrickson.
In July, Investigators noticed Sheryl Williams Stapleton enter the Airport Article Office Department by itself and use a key to open Box 9323.
In May, video clip surveillance from Financial institution of America’s East Lomas branch demonstrates Williams Stapleton negotiating checks created by APS to Robotics. Lender video clip in July final year captured Williams Stapleton negotiating a $33,000 deposit on behalf of Robotics. And in Oct, the Residence The greater part Leader was yet again caught on camera negotiating Robotics checks totaling $145,000.
Investigators allege practically a million pounds ($954,386) in APS-Robotics payment checks finished up in lender accounts in which Sheryl Williams Stapleton experienced an desire.
And APS is not the only Williams Stapleton-Robotics link. A 2012 KRQE News 13 legislative investigation learned Point out Agent Williams Stapleton employing her lawmaker clout to favor the privately held Robotics.
Condition legislators funnel thousands and thousands of pounds into projects that aim on wellness, safety, high quality of daily life, and financial enhancement just about every year. It could possibly be a new hearth truck or repairs to a senior citizen’s centre. Lawmakers pay for these initiatives through appropriations referred to as funds outlay. You know it better as pork. In just one 12 months, legislators poured nearly $800 million bucks into 3,400 group assignments. We know how a great deal politicians invest, but the public is never ever advised what really happens to all that income.
For case in point, just take a near look at Cash Appropriation 07-3801. In 2007, no just one in the Legislature questioned Representative Williams Stapleton when she singlehandedly made use of $50,000 in community money (money outlay) to acquire passenger vans for the African American Performing Arts Heart at the State Fairgrounds.
Soon right after the vans ended up bought by the State of New Mexico, the car or truck titles have been mysteriously and illegally transferred to a private company… you guessed it, Robotics. It was not until KRQE Information 13’s 2012 investigation that point out officers seen taxpayer’s 2007 $50,000 investment had been hijacked.
“The evidence (KRQE-Tv set) helped us dig up suggests that in truth (the) genuine title of the vans was at a person issue transferred to the non-revenue entity,” then Department of Finance Cabinet Secretary Tom Clifford instructed KRQE in 2012. “That’s wherever there was a breach of the state’s rules in phrases of the suitable use of public assets,” Clifford stated. That was nine several years back. The issue was referred to the Attorney General’s Business office in 2012 nonetheless, no fees had been submitted in the scenario.
And in 2011, state lawmakers authorized $73,000 in community resources to be paid out to Robotics for math and science programming at the Sheryl Williams Stapleton African American Executing Arts Middle. At the time, Robotics had its business office at the Executing Arts Centre on San Pedro NE.
Final thirty day period, just after APS positioned Williams Stapleton on paid out leave, the veteran lawmaker resigned from the State Legislature. In a Lookup Warrant Affidavit, the Legal professional Common alleges Williams Stapleton fully commited racketeering, funds laundering, obtained kickbacks, and violated the Governmental Conduct Act. Williams Stapleton denies the allegations. To date, no charges have been submitted.