Portales, NM – Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Quentin Ray, announced that on April 25, 2024, Steven Butler, age 56, of Dora, NM, was found guilty by a jury of 6 counts involving unfair biding practices with the Dora Schools.
The New Mexico Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of the Dora School System. The irregularities discovered were reported to investigators with the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office who reached out to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office (now the New Mexico Justice Department) for assistance. Special Agent Christopher Kohler was called in and uncovered the illegal practices taking place.
According to evidence presented, Butler was working as head of maintenance for Dora Schools and used that position to gain favorable bids for his own company to provide cleaning supplies and services to the school. The practices allowed him to obtain multiple contracts and benefits at tax payers expense.
The Honorable Donna J. Mowrer presided over the four day trial. Butler remains out on bond pending a presentence report from the Adult Probation and Parole Department and sentencing has been set for later this year. Butler is facing a maximum of ten (10) years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Coffing with assistance from District Attorney, Quentin Ray. Steven Butler was represented by criminal defense attorney, Chris Christensen of Portales, NM.
DA Ray would like to thank and acknowledge the hard work of the New Mexico Justice Department and the members of the Roosevelt County community who served as Jurors in this case.
For more information, please contact the Office of the District Attorney, at 575-769-2246.
