Former maintenance head with Dora Consolidated Schools sentenced to 3 years in prison on corruption charges

PORTALES, N.M. (KAMR/KCIT) – The former head of maintenance for Dora Consolidated Schools was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted on six counts involving unfair bidding practices with the Dora Schools, according to the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The office announced that 56-year-old Steven Butler of Dora was sentenced on June 26 after he was found guilty of the six counts involving unfair bidding practices in April, after reportedly using his position with the school district to gain favorable bids for his own company.

As noted in previous reports, Butler was arrested after Dora Consolidated Schools was audited by state officials and an investigation resulted from reported irregularities. During the investigation, officials with the attorney’s office and the New Mexico Justice Department uncovered and reported illegal practices taking place in the district.

Evidence presented during trial, as reported by the office, detailed that Butler was working as head of maintenance for Dora Consolidated Schools and used his position to obtain favorable bids for his company to provide cleaning services and supplies to the school district. Officials noted that through those actions, Butler gained multiple contracts and benefits “at taxpayers’ expense.”

Butler was sentenced to three years in prison followed by five years of supervised probation, according to the office announcement.

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