COLUMBUS - A former public school official has repaid less than two percent of the amount she owes the district since being convicted of steering money to her husband's company, officials said.
Sherry Bird Long was ordered to pay $1,725 a month after her Jan. 2002 conviction, but said that was not feasible based on her expenses, Franklin County Chief Probation Officer Gayle Ditmer said.
Bird Long, Columbus Public Schools' instructional information services director, pleaded guilty in Sept. 2002 to unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth-degree felony, and unauthorized use of property, a misdemeanor.
She had allegedly steered nearly $250,000 in school district contracts to her husband's company.
As part of her punishment, Bird Long was ordered to pay restitution to the district.
But since an initial payment of $93,416, Bird Long has repaid only $1,580 of the $102,584 she owes.
The district wants its money back
spokesman Greg Viebranz said. It is owed to the students and taxpayers of Columbus Public Schools. 17
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