PAY_TO_PLAY_ANALYSIS
├─ politician Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01)
├─ total_fec_donations 4,053
├─ total_donation_amount $749K
├─ total_earmarks 45
├─ total_earmark_amount $298.40M
├─ tribal_donations $107K
├─ tribal_earmarks $94.45M
└─ pattern_detected TRIBAL PAY-TO-PLAY
Earmark Volume: #2 in Congress
Stansbury has requested more individual earmarks than all but one member of Congress (only Rep. Garcia has more).
├─ stansbury_earmarks 45
├─ avg_congressman 34.9
├─ above_average 1.3x
├─ rank_by_count #2 of 394
├─ total_amount $298.40M (avg: $143.49M)
├─ rank_by_amount #36 (top 10%)
└─ above_median +178% ($107.14M median)
Tribal Pay-to-Play Pattern Detected
Pueblo of Sandia donated $7K to Rep. Stansbury and received $88.95M in earmarks, a 13,478:1 ROI.
Stansbury serves as Democrat Vice Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and sits on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples. She previously did tribal consultation at OMB under the Obama administration.
31 tribes donated $107K total. 23 of 31 tribes are from outside New Mexico.
CRIMINAL NETWORK EXPOSED
Investigation reveals 8+ convicted felons in Stansbury's donor network, $2.75B healthcare fraud that killed 40+ of her constituents, and fentanyl trafficking at donor tribal casinos.
├─ convicted_felons 8+
├─ healthcare_fraud $2.5B
├─ constituents_killed 40+
├─ tribes_under_investigation 2+
├─ endorser_criminal_history James Mountain (rape indictment)
└─ earmark_recipients_w_problems 3
$2.75B Healthcare Fraud - Her Constituents Were the Victims
The largest healthcare fraud targeting Native Americans in history. Fake "sober living homes" recruited victims from New Mexico reservations (Navajo, Zuni - Stansbury's district), trafficked them to Arizona, and billed Medicaid for services never provided. 40+ died from fentanyl/drugs given by staff.
├─ total_fraud $2.5B
├─ people_charged 193
├─ native_americans_killed 40+
├─ missing_from_gallup_nm 30+
├─ primary_victims Navajo, Zuni - Stansbury constituents
└─ stansbury_role Sits on oversight committee
Fentanyl Trafficking at Donor Tribal Casinos
Multiple tribal casinos that donated to Stansbury have documented drug trafficking operations. The same fentanyl supply chain that appears at these casinos was used to drug victims at the fake sober homes.
| Casino/Tribe | Donated | Drug Activity | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isleta Casino | $6K | 37,000 fentanyl pills seized | Nov 2025 |
| Sandia Resort | $7K | Fentanyl-for-sex operation | Sept 2024 |
| Mescalero Apache | $9K | 34 charged in meth trafficking ring | 2015-2016 |
Sources: DOJ Press Releases, Interior Department, DEA
Endorser Criminal History: James R. Mountain
The Chairman of All Pueblo Council of Governors who officially endorsed Stansbury was indicted in 2008 for rape, kidnapping, and aggravated battery. He was arrested for DWI at a tribal casino in October 2025 and resigned.
├─ name James R. Mountain
├─ role APCG Chairman (Endorsed Stansbury)
├─ 2008_charges Rape, kidnapping, aggravated battery
├─ 2008_status INDICTED (dropped 2010)
├─ 2025_arrest DWI at tribal casino
├─ mmiw_controversy Task force members threatened to resign
└─ navajo_nation Unanimously called for his removal
Donor Tribes with Criminal Activity
8 of Stansbury's tribal donors have documented criminal activity including convictions, federal investigations, and drug trafficking.
| Tribe | Donated | Criminal/Activity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Pueblo | $3K | $3.575M embezzlement | CONVICTED - 51 mo prison |
| Poarch Band of Creek Indians | $7K | $500K+ casino theft; multiple federal probes | CONVICTED; Under investigation |
| Tulalip Tribes | $7K | Housing Chairman embezzlement; HUD scandal | CONVICTED |
| Pechanga Band | $3K | Money laundering, RICO violations alleged | Investigated |
| Pueblo of Sandia | $7K | Fentanyl-for-sex operation at Sandia Resort | Sept 2024 |
| Pueblo of Isleta | $6K | 37,000 fentanyl pills seized at casino | Nov 2025 |
| Mescalero Apache | $9K | Meth trafficking ring | Federal charges 2015-2016 |
| Zuni Tribe | $3K | SERIAL MURDERER - 17 counts | INDICTED |
The $3,300 ↔ $3,575,000 Connection: Santa Ana Pueblo donated $3,300 to Stansbury. Their former Governor Bruce Sanchez was convicted of embezzling $3,575,000 - almost exactly 1,000x the donation amount.
Earmark Recipients with Audit Problems
Several organizations that received Stansbury's earmarks have documented financial control issues, questioned costs, or fraud.
| Recipient | Earmark | Problem | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Nations Community HealthSource | $1.00M | $174,300 questioned costs | DOJ OIG Audit 2022 |
| Region 9 Education Cooperative | $5.00M | $2.2M no-bid contract; 4 state auditor allegations | State Audit 2017 |
| Bernalillo County | $4.00M | Employee embezzlement ($48K); scammed $447K | KRQE News |
Melanie Stansbury
Democrat, NM-01 (Albuquerque area)
Tribal Donor-to-Earmark Connections
| Tribe | State | Donations | Earmarks Received | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo of SandiaHIGHEST ROI | NM | $7K | $88.95M | 13,478:1 |
| Mescalero Apache Tribe | NM | $9K | $5.50M | 611:1 |
| Total Tribal (with earmarks) | $16K | $94.45M | 6,055:1 | |
ROI shows earmark dollars per donation dollar. High ratios may indicate concerning influence patterns.
Pueblo of Sandia Deep Dive
PUEBLO_CONTEXT
├─ population ~500
├─ median_age 52
├─ casino Sandia Resort
└─ earmarks $88.95M
EARMARKS FROM STANSBURY
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER ANALYSIS
The $16.69M CDC request was for a pueblo with only ~500 members (median age 52, declining population). At most ~50 children could use the facility. That is $333,937 per child.
News reports indicate only ~$850K was actually approved, a 95% reduction from the request.
Pattern: Massively Inflated Requests
Stansbury's earmark requests are consistently reduced by 85-95% when approved, suggesting a pattern of requesting far more than projects actually need or receive.
| Project | Requested | Approved | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandia CDC | $16.69M | $850K | -95% |
| Peralta Fire Station | $7.68M | $1.00M | -87% |
Source: Valencia County News-Bulletin, Sandoval Signpost
Per Capita Cost Analysis
The Sandia CDC requested amount is 15x higher per capita than the next most expensive project.
| Project | Amount | Population | Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandia CDC | $16.69M | 500 | $33,387 |
| Estancia Town Hall | $5.56M | 1,328 | $4,188 |
| Fort Sumner Fire | $2.25M | 852 | $2,641 |
| Bosque Farms Wastewater | $10.00M | 4,111 | $2,433 |
| Peralta Fire Station | $7.68M | 3,470 | $2,213 |
Multi-Year Duplicate Requests
Several projects were requested across multiple fiscal years, potentially seeking cumulative funding.
| Project | FY2024 | FY2025 | FY2026 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation | - | $72.26M | $82.70M | $154.96M |
| Lincoln County EOC | - | $3.00M | $3.00M | $6.00M |
| Estancia Town Hall | - | $2.26M | $3.30M | $5.56M |
| ABQ Temporary Shelter | - | $1.70M | $2.00M | $3.70M |
| NM State Police Tech | $500K | $2.50M | $1.65M | $4.65M |
All Tribal Donations (31 tribes, $107K)
23 of 31 tribal donations are from outside New Mexico, not her constituents.
Top 10 Earmarks by Amount
| Recipient | Description | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation | $82.70M | 2026 |
| Pueblo of Sandiadonor | Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation | $72.26M | 2025 |
| Town of Bernalillo | Wastewater Treatment Plant | $20.00M | 2026 |
| Pueblo of Sandiadonor | Child Development Center | $16.69M | 2024 |
| Village of Bosque Farms | Wastewater Treatment | $10.00M | 2025 |
| Valencia County | Hospital | $8.00M | 2026 |
| Town of Bernalillo | Behavioral Health Center | $8.00M | 2026 |
| Town of Peralta | Fire Station | $7.68M | 2024 |
| Mescalero Apache Tribedonor | Head Start Center | $5.50M | 2024 |
| Region 9 Early Childhood | Education Center | $5.00M | 2024 |
Highlighted rows indicate tribal recipients who also donated to Stansbury. See FEC smurfing analysis for more donation patterns.
Donation Pattern: NOT EMPLOYED
├─ percent_of_total 43%
├─ amount $323K
└─ donations 2,611
Nearly half of Stansbury's FEC donations come from individuals listed as NOT EMPLOYED. This pattern warrants further investigation to verify donor authenticity.
Important Context
Campaign donations do not prove quid pro quo or corruption. Earmarks go through official congressional processes. Many donors support politicians who share their policy priorities. Tribal donations to members of the Native American Caucus reflect legitimate advocacy interests.
Criminal activity by tribal members or at tribal facilities does not implicate Rep. Stansbury in those crimes. The healthcare fraud targeting Native Americans was perpetrated by third parties, not tribal governments. Endorsements from individuals with criminal histories do not constitute wrongdoing by the endorsed candidate.
This analysis documents publicly available connections between donors, earmarks, and criminal activity for transparency purposes. Rep. Stansbury has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Sources
- Source New Mexico- Stansbury earmarks reporting
- Stansbury House Press Release- Native American Caucus Vice Chair announcement
- Valencia County News-Bulletin- Peralta fire station actual funding ($1M vs $7.68M requested)
- Sandoval Signpost- Sandia CDC actual funding (~$850K approved)
- News-Bulletin (Bosque Farms)- Confirming earmark recipients
- DOJ: Bruce Sanchez Sentenced- Santa Ana Pueblo embezzlement conviction
- Interior Dept: Isleta Fentanyl Seizure- 37,000 fentanyl pills seized at Isleta Casino
- ProPublica: Arizona Sober Living Deaths- $2.75B healthcare fraud that killed 40+ Native Americans
- Washington Post: Mountain Resigns- APCG Chairman arrested for DWI, resigned
- DOJ OIG: First Nations Audit- $174,300 questioned costs at earmark recipient
Donation data from FEC filings. Earmark data from congressional appropriations records. Found an error? Submit a correction.