Jury Finds Detroit Elementary Principal Guilty In Bribery Case

DETROIT (AP) — The only one of 12 Detroit school principals to turn down a plea deal in a kickback scheme has been convicted.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade's office says a jury on Friday found 51-year-old Josette Buendia guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery after a five-day trial.

Prosecutors say the Bennett Elementary School principal accepted approximately $46,000 and gifts from contractor Norman Shy over about a four-year period in exchange for business and covered up the scheme by submitting bogus invoices for paper and other supplies.

Buendia faces up to five years in prison when she is sentenced in April.

The other principals and Shy have pleaded guilty in the scheme that prosecutors say cost the Detroit district nearly $3 million.