Published: 7/21/2022 - ARK

THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THAT FORMER LIMESTONE COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT TOM SISK WAS SENTENCED ON TUESDAY AFTER INVESTIGATIONS IMPLICATED HIM IN A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL FRAUD CASE. IN FEBRUARY 2021, SEVERAL EDUCATION OFFICIALS WERE INDICTED IN A SCHEME TO DEFRAUD THE STATE OF ALABAMA BY CLAIMING PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN A VIRTUAL ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS ACADEMY TO GAIN MORE PUBLIC FUNDING. PROSECUTORS SAID THEY WERE PLANNING TO USE UP TO $10 MILLION IN EXTRA STATE AID, WHICH IS BASED ON ENROLLMENT, TO HELP FUND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING A NEW ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAID THE SCHEME PULLED NEARLY $5.8 MILLION FOR THE ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS SYSTEM AND AN ADDITIONAL $1.1 MILLION FOR LIMESTONE COUNTY SCHOOLS. ALL DEFENDANTS AGREED TO PAY BACK FUNDS TO THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. SISK PLEADED GUILTY TO A CONSPIRACY CHARGE IN APRIL AND WAS SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITH THREE YEARS OF SUPERVISED PROBATION AFTER RELEASE. SISK WAS FINED $15,000 AND ORDERED TO PAY $13,000 DOLLARS IN RESTITUTION. THREE OTHER DEFENDANTS IN THIS CASE ARE SCHEDULED FOR SENTENCING TODAY. WKSR IS FOLLOWING THE STORY.