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{{Infobox officeholder
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'''Linda Schrenko''' is a former [[superintendent (education)|superintendent]] of schools in the [[United States|U.S.]] state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] who was convicted on an [[embezzlement]] scheme and sentenced to 8 years in [[prison]].
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| name = Linda Schrenko
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| office = [[Georgia Department of Education|Georgia Superintendent of Schools]]
| term_start = 1995
| term_end = 2003
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| predecessor = Werner Rogers
| successor = [[Kathy Cox (American politician)|Kathy Cox]]
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⚫
'''Linda Schrenko''' is a former [[superintendent (education)|superintendent]] of schools in the [[United States|U.S.]] state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] who was convicted on an [[embezzlement]] scheme and sentenced to 8 years in [[federal prison]].
⚫
== Biography ==


⚫
== Biography ==
Schrenko was born on July 24, 1949, in [[Millen, Georgia]]. She received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[education]] from [[Augusta State University|Augusta College]] in 1972, after which she worked as a teacher and in other educational jobs until her election as superintendent.
Schrenko was born on July 24, 1949, in [[Millen, Georgia]]. She received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[education]] from [[Augusta State University|Augusta College]] in 1972, after which she worked as a teacher and in other educational jobs until her election as superintendent.


== As superintendent ==
== As superintendent ==
In 1994, Schrenko, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], defeated the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent to be elected as Superintendent of Schools, becoming the first woman, and first Republican elected to statewide office in Georgia. She was re-elected in 1998.


In 1994, Schrenko, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], defeated the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent to be elected as superintendent of schools, becoming the first woman elected to statewide office in Georgia, and was re-elected in 1998. She generated controversy by advocating the teaching of [[creationism]] in schools and was often in conflict with [[List of Governors of Georgia|Governor]] [[Roy Barnes]]. She also started harsh teacher criticisms with creating the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test.
During her tenure, she generated controversy by advocating the teaching of [[creationism]] in schools and so was often in conflict with [[List of Governors of Georgia|Governor]] [[Roy Barnes]]. She also came under harsh criticism for creating the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test.


== Campaign for governor ==
== Campaign for governor ==
⚫
In 2002, Schrenko sought the Republican nomination for governor of Georgia against Bill Byrne and [[Sonny Perdue]]. Schrenko and Byrne were defeated by Perdue, who avoided a runoff by claiming a majority of the primary votes.


== Criminal conviction ==
⚫
In 2002, Schrenko sought the Republican nomination for governor of Georgia against Bill Byrne and current governor [[Sonny Perdue]]. Schrenko and Byrne were defeated by Perdue, who avoided a runoff by claiming a majority of the primary votes.
The 2002 gubernatorial race would lead to Schrenko's downfall. She stole $600,000 in federal funds set aside for educational services for deaf children and those in the governor's honors programs. With the help of her deputy, campaign manager and lover Merle Temple, Schrenko funneled the money into her campaign.<ref name="theft" />


⚫
On November 10, 2004, Schrenko was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from the 2002 embezzlement. The indictment alleged that a substantial portion of the funds in question had been used to fund Schrenko's campaign for governor and facial [[plastic surgery]].<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/0425metschrenko.html Schrenko jury to be selected], April 25, 2006, ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'', by Beth Warren {{dead link|date=July 2022}} </ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher = edweek.org | date = May 11, 2006 | title = Former Georgia Schools Chief Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering | author = Linda Jacobson | url = https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2006/05/17/37schrenko.h25.html }}</ref>
== Legal problems ==


⚫
She pleaded guilty to fraud and [[money laundering]], and was sentenced to eight years in prison on July 12, 2006. She was also fined $414,000 in [[restitution]] and was required to serve three years' [[probation]] and 100 hours of [[community service]] upon being released.<ref>{{cite news | publisher = theledger.com | date = July 13, 2006 | title = Ex-Ga. Schools Chief Gets 8 Years | author = KATE BRUMBACK, The Associated Press | url = https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20060713/news/608127459/LL}} {{dead link|date=July 2022}} </ref>
⚫
On November 10, 2004, Schrenko was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from her embezzlement of more than $600,000 in federal education funds. The indictment alleged that a substantial portion of the funds in question had been used to fund Schrenko's campaign for governor and facial [[plastic surgery]].<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/0425metschrenko.html Schrenko jury to be selected, April 25, 2006, ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'', by Beth Warren]</ref>
Schrenko was released from federal prison on March 6, 2013.<ref name="theft">{{cite web|title=Trio of convicted Augusta politicians await release from prison|publisher=The Augusta Chronicle|author=Sandy Hodson|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/article/20110925/NEWS/309259936|date=September 25, 2011|accessdate=April 29, 2018|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417191814/http://www.augustachronicle.com/article/20110925/NEWS/309259936|url-status=dead}}</ref>

⚫
She pled guilty to fraud and [[money laundering]], and was sentenced to 8 years in prison on July 12, 2006. She was also fined $414,000 in [[restitution]], and will be required to serve 3 years [[probation]] and 100 hours of [[community service]] upon being released.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4041934.html Former Ga. Schools Chief gets eight years, July 12,2006 ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', by Kate Brumback ]</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

*[http://www.wxia.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=54613 Schrenko indicted on theft charges]


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{{GeorgiaUS-politician-stub}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Schrenko, Linda}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schrenko, Linda}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Jenkins County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Georgia Superintendent of Schools]]
[[Category:American people convicted of money laundering]]
[[Category:American politicians convicted of fraud]]
[[Category:People from Millen, Georgia]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) Republicans]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) Republicans]]
[[Category:Augusta State University alumni]]
[[Category:Public education in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state) politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Women in Georgia (U.S. state) politics]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]


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{{GeorgiaUS-politician-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:21, 5 December 2023

Linda Schrenko
Georgia Superintendent of Schools
In office
1995–2003
GovernorZell Miller
Roy Barnes
Preceded byWerner Rogers
Succeeded byKathy Cox
Personal details
Born (1949-07-24) July 24, 1949 (age 75)

Linda Schrenko is a former superintendent of schools in the U.S. state of Georgia who was convicted on an embezzlement scheme and sentenced to 8 years in federal prison.

Biography

[edit]

Schrenko was born on July 24, 1949, in Millen, Georgia. She received a bachelor's degree in education from Augusta College in 1972, after which she worked as a teacher and in other educational jobs until her election as superintendent.

As superintendent

[edit]

In 1994, Schrenko, a Republican, defeated the Democratic incumbent to be elected as Superintendent of Schools, becoming the first woman, and first Republican elected to statewide office in Georgia. She was re-elected in 1998.

During her tenure, she generated controversy by advocating the teaching of creationism in schools and so was often in conflict with Governor Roy Barnes. She also came under harsh criticism for creating the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test.

Campaign for governor

[edit]

In 2002, Schrenko sought the Republican nomination for governor of Georgia against Bill Byrne and Sonny Perdue. Schrenko and Byrne were defeated by Perdue, who avoided a runoff by claiming a majority of the primary votes.

Criminal conviction

[edit]

The 2002 gubernatorial race would lead to Schrenko's downfall. She stole $600,000 in federal funds set aside for educational services for deaf children and those in the governor's honors programs. With the help of her deputy, campaign manager and lover Merle Temple, Schrenko funneled the money into her campaign.[1]

On November 10, 2004, Schrenko was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from the 2002 embezzlement. The indictment alleged that a substantial portion of the funds in question had been used to fund Schrenko's campaign for governor and facial plastic surgery.[2][3]

She pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering, and was sentenced to eight years in prison on July 12, 2006. She was also fined $414,000 in restitution and was required to serve three years' probation and 100 hours of community service upon being released.[4] Schrenko was released from federal prison on March 6, 2013.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sandy Hodson (September 25, 2011). "Trio of convicted Augusta politicians await release from prison". The Augusta Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  2. ^ Schrenko jury to be selected, April 25, 2006, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, by Beth Warren [dead link]
  3. ^ Linda Jacobson (May 11, 2006). "Former Georgia Schools Chief Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering". edweek.org.
  4. ^ KATE BRUMBACK, The Associated Press (July 13, 2006). "Ex-Ga. Schools Chief Gets 8 Years". theledger.com. [dead link]


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