The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is Linda Schrenko. She is the former state school superintendant for Georgia. She pled guilty yesterday to charges she embezzled over 600,000 dolars for the purposes of running for governor and getting a face lift.

I hope the face lift serves Schrenko well in prison. For stealing taxpayer money, Linda Schrenko is today's knucklehead of the day.

Open Post- Bright & Early, Jo's Cafe, Cao's Blog, Mudville Gazette, TMH's Bacon Bits

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- A former state schools superintendent pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraud and money laundering, ending her trial on charges alleging she embezzled $600,000 in federal education money to fund a failed campaign for governor and a face lift.

Linda Schrenko, 56, will serve eight years in prison under the plea bargain. She also agreed to hand over other evidence and drop her right to appeal.

The former Georgia schools superintendent had been on trial for about two weeks in federal court. Prosecutors alleged the money was used to underwrite Schrenko's failed 2002 campaign for governor, cosmetic surgery and for other extras, including a television, computer and a down payment on a car.

In testimony earlier this week, witnesses said Schrenko told staff in her daughter's dental practice to fraudulently endorse checks to her campaign.

Schrenko made history in 1994 when she became the first woman elected to a statewide, nonjudicial post in Georgia. She also was one of the first Republicans elected to such an office in a state that had been dominated by Democrats since Reconstruction.

In court, Schrenko appeared flustered and needed to be prompted several times by U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper as he went through the charges.

Her voice wavered as she answered, "Yes, sir."

She pleaded guilty to one count each of money laundering and fraud. The original charges -- 22 counts of money laundering and 18 other counts ranging from conspiracy to fraud -- could have brought as much as 20 years in prison per count.

Federal prosecutor Russell Vineyard said the fraud took place through a series of $590 checks funneled through companies held by Stephen Botes, a co-defendant charged with Schrenko. Prosecutors allege that Botes was seeking a $2.5 million state Department of Education contract and had agreed to help Schrenko's campaign.

Cross Posted to Bullwinkle Blog