Former Dekalb County Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis, Three Others Charged with Racketeering

Former Dekalb County Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis, three others, charged with racketeering over $80 million worht of contracts.

Former Dekalb County Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis and three other people are charged with racketeering stemming from $80 million worth of fraudulent construction contracts. The others charged include Patricia Reid (formerly Patricia Pope), her ex-husband Anthony Pope and Reid's former secretary Cointa Moody. Of the four, Lewis posted $200,000 bond Wednesday night, while Anthony Pope is still in jail waiting to post a $1 million bond and Cointa Moody, is also in jail.

It is a disgrace that people charged with ensuring the kids of Dekalb County get a good education literally robbed the system blind. According to WSB-TV, the indictment accuses them of using their positions with the school system to set up at least $80 million in fraudulent construction contracts and bids.

The accused said the charges are false, but would the county spend expend so much time and resources to go on a wild goose chase? With any luck, these dirtbags will be locked up for a long, long time and forced to pay restitution. Just think what $80 million could do for a cash-strapped county?

Read more: Former DeKalb Schools Chief, 3 Others Indicted | WSB-TV