From Deseret News archives:
Secretary admits theft from Davis School District
Now the former school district secretary has admitted to taking the funds and has agreed to testify against two other school district officials, John and Susan Ross, who are accused of defrauding the district out of much more.
Smith stood and cried as her attorney recounted why she took federal Title I funds, which are meant to help disadvantaged students, and how the FBI discovered her scheme while investigating the $4.3 million in federal funds the Rosses are accused of taking.
Attorney Paul Grant maintained that Smith knew little about Susan Ross's enterprise, even though their plans were similar. "It appears lightning strikes twice in this case," Grant said.
Grant indicated his client's link to Susan Ross was not terribly strong. "There was no meeting of the minds between my client and Susan Ross," he said.
John and Susan Ross were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to an embezzlement operation Susan Ross is accused of running for several years while working for the school district as head of the Title I program. John Ross worked at the school district and at one point headed his wife's program.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Susan Ross ran a shell company, which supplied the Davis County School District with illegally photocopied versions of books at inflated prices. The Rosses are scheduled to stand trial on Dec. 10.
Smith, who faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
Comments
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
201 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
101 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...
The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.
It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...
It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...
Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...
I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...
The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...
It looks to me like special treatment.
Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...
I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...


You can be the first to comment on this story.