School district fires ex-legislator amid corruption probe

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque school system has fired former state Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton from her nearly $80,000-a-year occupational education position. Williams Stapleton resigned her legislative position in July amid a criminal investigation into possible racketeering, money laundering, kickbacks and violations of a law governing the conduct of state lawmakers. A lawyer for Albuquerque Public Schools said Tuesday that Williams Stapleton had been “discharged” but declined to elaborate. Williams Stapleton’s attorney, Ahmad Assed, did not immediately respond to a request Wednesday by The Associated Press for comment on her behalf.  Williams Stapleton has not been criminally charged and her lawyer has said Williams Stapleton would clear her name.