Ex-Gary schools chief set for Sept. 30 trial in theft case

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) - A former superintendent of Gary Community Schools in northwestern Indiana is set for a Sept. 30 trial on charges that she double-billed the cash-strapped district for expenses at a conference in California.

The Post-Tribune reports Cheryl Pruitt's attorney, Scott King, told Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Boswell on Monday he expected the trial to last a day or two.

Pruitt was charged last October with theft and official misconduct for allegedly double-billing about $1,250 in luxury expenses at a 2016 Los Angeles conference.

Pruitt was hired as Gary's schools chief in 2012. She resigned last year after an emergency manager took over the district as it faced more than $100 million in debt. She was hired as CEO at Chicago Virtual Charter School, but was placed on paid administrative leave .

___

Information from: Post-Tribune, http://posttrib.chicagotribune.com/