Man convicted of embezzling from state senator gets 90 months in prison

A former campaign treasurer who was found guilty of stealing money from New Mexico State Senator Mary Kay Papen was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

A Las Cruces jury convicted 46-year-old Steve D. Siddall on one count of forgery over $2,500, five counts of forgery and two counts of fourth-degree larceny over $500.

Siddall was given access to Papen’s bank account and was responsible to pay bills and other authorized expenses. He was also allowed to live, rent-free, in her Las Cruces home, according to court records.

Siddall was found guilty of forging checks and stealing thousands of dollars from Papen. He was also convicted of stealing two pieces of valuable jewelry from the senator. Both pieces of jewelry were recovered and returned.

After his prison sentence, Siddall must also complete five years of supervised probation.