Key figure in APS test-cheating scandal to plead guilty
One of the key figures in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating scandal is scheduled to plead guilty Friday and begin cooperating with prosecutors, say individuals closely familiar with ongoing plea negotiations.
Christopher Waller, the former principal at Parks Middle School, will admit to wrongdoing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter. Baxter set a Friday deadline to be the last time he will accept negotiated pleas. For this reason, other former educators are expected to plead guilty on Friday as well.
One of Waller’s lawyers, Don Samuel, declined comment Thursday.
On Monday, former APS human resources director Millicent Few became the 19th defendant charged in the racketeering case to plead guilty. As of Thursday, 15 defendants remained charged in the conspiracy case scheduled to go to trial this spring.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
