Former Georgia School Superintendent Linda Schrenko, whose groundbreaking political career dissolved into erratic behavior and defeat, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges that she stole more than $500,000 in taxpayer money and spent part of it on cosmetic surgery. Schrenko and two others were named in an 18-count indictment that alleges they were involved in a scheme to steal federal education funds and secretly funnel about half the money to Schrenko’s failed 2002 campaign for governor, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The indictment charges the Republican school superintendent used $9,300 of the money to pay for cosmetic surgery. The federal funds purportedly were used to purchase computer services for two state schools for the deaf and the Governor’s Honors Program, but officials say the services weren’t delivered. “The defendants attempted to cover up the scheme by filing false campaign disclosure forms, creating back-dated contracts, devising false cover stories and lying to state of Georgia auditors and to the public,” said a federal prosecutor. Schrenko’s lawyer said his client denies wrongdoing but will surrender to authorities on Monday.
Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/1104/11schrenko.html