TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida Panhandle grand jury has indicted a charter school management company and three vendors on charges that it fraudulently billed a charter school for supplies, equipment and services.
The charges of grand theft, money laundering and aggravated white collar crime were announced Thursday by State Attorney Bill Eddins and could have ripple effects across the state. No individuals have been charged.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that the company indicted in Escambia County has also been criticized for poor financial management of four schools in Pinellas County.
Assistant State Attorney Russell Edgar says the investigation is continuing, and prosecutors have sought information from other school districts where the companies were doing business.
David McGee, a Pensacola attorney representing the management company Newpoint Education Partners, says the company would plead not guilty. He says the company is confused about the allegations.
