SALEM SCHOOLS Prosecutor expects charges in probe

The unresolved issue is hurting the district, the superintendent has said.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- More than a year of investigating the Salem school district's treasurer's office has failed to produce criminal charges, but a prosecutor says the widening probe is progressing and will net at least one indictment.
That's little solace to school officials, who have complained that the ongoing scrutiny has formed a black cloud that hovers over the fiscally struggling district.
The investigation is partly to blame for voters' rejection in November of a 7.85-mill emergency levy and for the ruined re-election bids of three board members, Superintendent Dr. David Brobeck has insisted.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron, whose office is conducting the probe, recently defended the time it's taking and has said he won't be rushed.
"This has been an extensive investigation that has gone into a number of different matters," Herron said.
Investigators initially were alerted that something was amiss late in 2002, after officials reported that former Treasurer Ted Cougras had used school funds to buy $781 of office equipment in March 2002. The items, a chair and mat, were delivered to Cougras' Poland home.
Cougras resigned without explanation Dec. 16, 2002, three days after the criminal probe into his purchase began.
Widening investigation
Since then, prosecutors have seized documents and marched about 16 people before a grand jury to quiz them. More witnesses are expected to be called before the panel, Herron said. The inquiry has broadened beyond the equipment purchase, he added without elaborating.
There's no doubt that charges are forthcoming, he said.
"We certainly expect an indictment. I won't specify a time frame," Herron said.
"We're tying up loose ends," he added. But he wouldn't say if that means an indictment could come this spring.
He also wouldn't say whether more than one person will be indicted and whether investigators have questioned Cougras, who has not been charged with any crime.
The school board has been holding hearings on Cougras' assistant, Annette Howard, who is accused by Brobeck of improper conduct. Brobeck wants the school board to fire Howard, who has denied any wrongdoing.
A 14-year employee, Howard was placed on paid suspension in January 2003 and has since been given more than $52,000 in wages and benefits.
Allegations
Brobeck's accusations include claims that Howard was involved in the purchase of office furniture with district money for Cougras' personal use, that she had a school district employee fix her driveway on district time and that she instructed a school custodian to leave his post and pick up her son at school.
The district has pursued no criminal charges based on the claims against Howard.
Herron said he has questioned her in his probe, but she has not been charged.
"At this point, we have no intention of charging her," Herron said.