Former DeKalb schools chief to plead guilty

Former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis has agreed to plead guilty to one charge of obstructing a law-enforcement officer, a misdemeanor that would end one part of a nearly three-year-old legal case that alleged corruption in the district’s construction management.

Lewis had been charged with racketeering and other fraud charges. With this deal, Lewis has agreed to become a witness for the prosecution.

Still facing charges are former DeKalb construction manager Pat Reid and her architect husband Tony Pope, who were both charges with fraud and racketeering for allegedly steering construction business to Pope’s firm in violation of state law and the district’s procurement rules.

Reid was the district’s chief operations officer, a job put her in charge of the district’s construction program. Both Pope and Reid have pleaded not guilty. A trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 28.

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