From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Former DeKalb County (Ga.)schools superintendent Crawford Lewis and three others, including former chief operating officer Patricia Reid, have been indicted on charges they ran a criminal enterprise that sent millions of dollars to Reid’s then-husband and others. Prosecutors allege that in exchange for steering school construction work to Reid's former husband and other vendors, the school officials and Reid's secretary received cash, sports tickets or other perks. REACTION: From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: One day after a multi-count indictment shook the DeKalb County (Ga.) school district, the school board was trying to distance itself from the charges and make sure it doesn’t happen again. No board members have been charged, but some teachers and parents feel the board is also to blame in the alleged scheme. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted former superintendent Crawford Lewis, former chief operating officer Patricia Reid, Reid’s ex-husband Tony Pope and her secretary Cointa Moody.EARLIER...from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The DeKalb County (Ga.) school board has voted to dismiss Superintendent Crawford Lewis, ending seven weeks of uncertainty over the district chief's legal fate. The board signed a mutual separation agreement with Lewis, who had held the position for the last 5 1/2 years but has been on leave while under investigation by the DeKalb district attorney. On Feb. 25, investigators from the district attorney’s office searched his home and school offices. The searches were part of an investigation into possible wrongdoing involving the district’s multi-million construction program.Earlier...from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Just three months after giving superintendent Crawford Lewis a raise and extending his contract, the DeKalb County (Ga.) school board is asking him to consider a “mutual” separation agreement. Lewis has been on leave since late February when prosecutors served search warrants at his home and office as part of a criminal investigation into possible wrongdoing involving school construction spending. Lewis decided to take leave during the investigation.MARCH 2010...from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Hours after investigators searched his house and office, DeKalb County (Ga.) Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis has taken a leave of absence from his job. The board has appointed an interim superintendent while the district attorney completes its investigation into possible wrongdoing involving multi-million dollar school construction projects.
The four are charged with racketeering, theft by a government employee, bribery and falsifying a public document.
