The trial for Higley Unified School District’s ex-superintendent on charges related to alleged contract rigging and taking payoffs has been rescheduled to Dec. 13 from Sept. 8 after defense attorneys
The trial for Higley Unified School District’s ex-superintendent on charges related to alleged contract rigging and taking payoffs has been rescheduled to Dec. 13 from Sept. 8 after defense attorneys
Ex-Gilbert school superintendent faces 18 counts of fraud
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley s gavel sits on the speakers desk, Monday, March 16, 2020, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa leaders are suspending the current legislative session for at least 30 days in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
and last updated 2021-07-23 17:50:16-04
PHOENIX â A former suburban Phoenix school district superintendent accepted money in exchange for awarding building contracts to certain vendors, according to an Arizona Auditor General report.
The report, which was released Thursday, led to Dr. Angela Denise Birdwell, former Higley School District superintendent in Gilbert, being indicted earlier this month on felony charges involving fraud.
An investigation by the Arizona Auditor General’s Office has found former Higley superintendent Dr. Angela Denise Birdwell, her close associate, Kay Hartwell Hunnicutt, and two Higley vendors, Gary Aller and Steven Nielsen may have violated State procurement laws.
The investigation requested by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office found that the violations stem from a $2,557,125 Project development services contract.
The Auditor General Office submitted its report to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which on July 13, 2021, presented evidence to the State Grand Jury. The action resulted in the indictment of:
• Birdwell on 18 felony counts related to procurement fraud, fraudulent schemes and practices, fraudulent schemes and artifices, misuse of public monies, conflict of interest, filing a false return, and conspiracy.