Former New Mexico State Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton found guilty in federal corruption trial

(NBC, KYMA) - A jury has found former New Mexico State Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton guilty Friday in a federal corruption trial.

Stapleton was facing 37 federal counts including fraud, bribery, and money laundering. She has been found guilty on all charges.

The verdict update came after jurors began deliberating Thursday, weighing charges against Stapleton and her longtime friend Joseph Johnson. Johnson was also found guilty on all charges.

Both Stapleton and Johnson will remain out of custody until their sentencing, despite a motion from prosecutors to hold them.

Prosecutors accused Stapleton of using her job as Albuquerque public schools career and technical education coordinator to steer a large share of funding to Johnson's company, Robotics Management Learning Systems.

They said Johnson then sent Stapleton blank checks and she spent more than $1.1 million for her own benefit.

In closing arguments, prosecutors asked jurors to follow the money and argued that neither Stapleton nor Johnson disclosed their conflict of interest.

Stapleton's defense team argued there is no electronic communication showing a coordinated plot between the two defendants.

Her team acknowledged she took money she was not supposed to take but argued the money came from Johnson and not taxpayers.

Johnson's legal team maintained he did not know what Stapleton was doing and said an employee sent Stapleton checks without his knowledge.