DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit principal has turned down a plea deal in an alleged bribery scheme and wants to go to trial for accepting more than $40,000 from a contractor over 14 years.
A federal judge warned Josette Buendia about the possible consequences Wednesday. If convicted, her prison sentence could be longer than what prosecutors offered.
Defense attorney Kim Stout says Buendia didn’t spend the money on herself. Stout says it was used for students at Bennett Elementary School. Trial is set for Dec. 12.
Thirteen people have pleaded guilty, including 11 Detroit principals and the contractor, Norman Shy.
The government says bogus invoices were submitted for paper and other supplies. In exchange, principals received gift cards, cash and checks from Shy. The alleged scheme cost the Detroit district nearly $3 million.
- Posted November 07, 2016
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Detroit principal chooses trial in corruption case
headlines Macomb
- Sharing some holiday cheer
- MDHHS shares latest MISEP update demonstrating strong progress and improvements made in keeping children safe
- Task force investigations result in two men arraigned on charges including armed robbery, conducting a criminal enterprise
- Law firm honors local teacher as Exceptional Educator of the Month
- Nessel announces settlements with Lannett and Bausch approaching $18M over conspiracies to inflate prices and limit competition
headlines National
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law back in compliance with ABA standard
- Chemerinsky: The Fourth Amendment comes back to the Supreme Court
- Reinstatement of retired judge reversed by state supreme court
- Mass tort lawyer suspended for 3 years for lying to clients
- Law firms in Minneapolis are helping lawyers, staff navigate unrest
- Federal judge faces trial on charges of being ‘super drunk’ while driving
