Former School Chief Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

By: Associated Press Email

Posted: Thu 3:34 PM, Jun 07, 2012

LUBBOCK, Texas - A former West Texas school superintendent has pleaded guilty to mail fraud after he was accused of embezzling more than $13,000 in federal funds.

U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldana says former Ira school district Superintendent Larry Gene Devitt entered his plea Thursday in federal court in Lubbock. Saldana says Devitt agreed to surrender his educator certification as part of the plea deal.

Prosecutors alleged the 64-year-old Devitt used school district credit cards and vendors for his personal benefit and ordered district staff to pay $13,438 in bills through checks from district accounts.

Devitt faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date wasn't set.

Tax Break Weekend in Texas for Energy Star Items

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html

Former School Chief Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

AP Video