Living in Albuquerque, I usually don't think much about the news of political or public servant scandals, but today I was really angry after reading the news.

It was reported that former New Mexico State Representative and former House Majority Leader Cheryl Williams Stapleton pleaded guilty in a state government case involving fraud and money laundering.

However, as I read further, it became clear that this was not just a case of a politician getting into trouble over money.

A significant portion of the money in question was intended for vocational and technical education at Albuquerque Public Schools.

In simple terms, this was money meant for children's education. According to court documents released by federal prosecutors, APS paid approximately $3.25 million to a company called Robotics Management Learning Systems from 2013 to 2021, of which about $2.52 million was federal vocational education funds.

Stapleton was responsible for vocational and technical education at APS at the time. The company was run by her long-time acquaintance, Joseph Johnson.

Federal prosecutors stated that Stapleton used her position to ensure that a significant portion of the education budget went to this company, and ultimately about $1.15 million flowed to herself or businesses and organizations associated with her.

This part really makes me angry. That's what taxes are for.

They take it out of your paycheck, you pay it when you buy things, you pay property taxes if you own a home, and you incur various costs when you drive a car.

Still, one reason people pay taxes is that they believe it will be used properly for schools and children's education.

Especially in New Mexico, there are always concerns when it comes to education issues.

It is even more bitter to realize that such a thing happened regarding money that should have been used for vocational education in such a place.

Vocational education is not just a program for a few academically gifted students. For students who want to learn skills and get jobs instead of going to college, it can be a life-changing opportunity.

Whether learning automotive technology, computers, welding, or electrical skills, if that money had been used properly, someone might have gained employment opportunities.

What's even more absurd is that Stapleton is not just someone who briefly held political office.

She has been a New Mexico State Representative for a long time since the 1990s and even rose to the House leadership. At the same time, she held an administrative position at APS.

What a significant public responsibility that is.

The plea agreement in this state government case includes a sentence of 10 years and 6 months and restitution of over $1.8 million.

Moreover, separately, a federal jury just a few weeks ago found Stapleton and Johnson guilty of various charges including bribery, fraud, and money laundering.

The sentencing for the federal case has not yet been determined.

Every time I see news like this, I think that the money managed by public officials is not their own money. Moreover, school budgets are funds that should never be touched.

Living in Albuquerque, I see school buses passing by every day and children heading to school with backpacks every morning.

Hearing news about such issues regarding the education funds that should go to those children in the same city makes it hard to read it as just news from another neighborhood.

I believe that regardless of political affiliation, the same standards should apply to these issues.

If you are entrusted with public money, it should be used transparently, and if misused, you should be held accountable. Especially when it comes to money that should be used for children's education, this is even more crucial.

I believe that severe penalties should be imposed in such cases.

This way, those in public office will not take the taxpayers' money lightly, and it will become clear that there are serious consequences for misusing public funds.