No prison for Susan Ross in Davis school book scheme

SALT LAKE CITY — While she received one sign of support from her husband — a kiss on the cheek upon entering the courtroom — the vote that decided the fate of Susan Ross came from the judge.

U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups decided that the 40 years of service Ross, 65, gave to the Davis School District and education programs in the state, recounted to him in numerous letters, outweighed the almost $4 million it is believed she and her husband stole.

In federal court Monday, Waddoups sentenced Ross to 36 months of probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement; 3,000 hours of community service; and a $10,000 fine. He also ordered her to pay $350,115 in restitution.

Federal prosecutor Loren Washburn asked for a sentence of 27 months in prison, which was at the low end of the recommended sentencing range for someone guilty of money laundering. In October, Ross pleaded guilty to the money laundering charge, a felony that could have landed her up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, in addition to the restitution payment.

In court, tears streamed down Ross' face as she expressed regret for the trust she betrayed and asked that her apology be accepted. She said she loved working with, and teaching, children and devoted her life to offering them the best possible education.

"My heart aches to think of my children and spouse who have suffered terribly through this whole ordeal," she said. "I'm so very sorry, but I want to thank them for their undivided love and unending support."

A 47-count indictment was filed against Susan Ross and her husband, John, in November 2006. It hit the couple with a number of charges, including mail fraud and money laundering in the theft of upward of $4 million from the school district in an embezzlement scheme involving inflated prices on pirated books. The federal indictment says the two set up a company to supply photocopies of books that would normally retail for $15 to $25 to sell to the school district for as much as $80.

The Rosses were both employees of the Davis School District. He was a federal grant specialist, and she was a director of federal programs, specifically the Title 1 education program, which is meant to aid students who are minorities, disadvantaged or disabled. Prosecutors say the couple were able to use their positions to perpetrate the theft.