Las Cruces: Two men arrested for embezzling $180,000+ from New Mexico Senator Mary Kay Papen

Las Cruces Police arrested two men suspected of embezzling more than $180,000 from a state senator’s bank account Monday morning.

The men, Stephen Dale Siddall, 44, and William “Billy” Samora, 42, are accused of embezzling from New Mexico Senate Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen’s personal, campaign and government accounts. According to police, Siddall served as Papen’s campaign treasurer and was a longtime personal assistant. Police say both men lived together at Papen’s residence on the 900 block of Conway Avenue.

Siddall faces charges of embezzlement over $20,000, nine counts of forgery, two counts of disposing stolen property, and one count each of identity theft and conspiracy. Samora is charged with one count each of embezzlement over $2,500 and conspiracy.

LCPD began investigating the allegations on July 8, 2015. They found checks withdrawing a total of $8,775 from Papen’s Pro Tem account between Sept. 30, 2013, and Nov. 26, 2014. Detectives also found $49,368.14 was taken out of Papen’s campaign or re-election account from Nov. 26, 2013, to May 9, 2015 and $125,762.97 went missing from Papen’s personal checking account from Jan. 2, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2015.

Investigators say they believe Siddall was responsible for bank card withdrawals and checks written on all three accounts, and Samora had some assistance.

LCPD also suspects Siddall of selling a watch and bracelet belonging to Papen. Detectives found the watch at an El Paso pawn shop. It had been pawned by Siddall for $250 on Oct. 17, 2015.

On Jan. 6, 2015, police say a woman returned a silver bracelet belonging to Papen, telling them Siddall sold her the bracelet for $200 last spring.

Siddall’s cash-only bond is set at $75,000. Samora bond is set at $50,000.