Published: 7/22/2022
IN AN UPDATE TO THE SCHOOL FRAUD CASE - THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT FORMER LIMESTONE COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT TOM SISK WAS SENTENCED 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. 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 ADDITIONAL DEFENDANTS IN THIS CASE WERE SENTENCED YESTERDAY (THURSDAY): FORMER ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAM L. “TREY” HOLLADAY III ON THURSDAY RECEIVED THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND WAS ORDERED TO PAY $2.9 MILLION IN RESTITUTION. RETIRED EDUCATOR GREGORY EARL CORKREN WAS SENTENCED TO 22 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND $1.3 MILLION IN RESTITUTION, AND FORMER MARENGO ACADEMY FOOTBALL COACH DAVID “WEBB” TUTT WAS SENTENCED TO 24 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND MUST PAY RESTITUTION OF $259,000 AND A FINE OF $15,000. ALL THREE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO PRISON BY 2:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
