Audit: Ga. education official misspent $1M

ATLANTA - Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox is asking the state attorney general's office to bring civil and criminal charges against a former education official accused of misappropriating more than $1 million.

A state audit released Monday found that Vickie Lindsey spent money on hiring family and friends when she was supposed to be giving bonuses to Georgia teachers who act as mentors to other educators. Cox is asking Attorney General Thurbert Baker to help her recover the money.

Baker's spokesman, Russ Willard, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that his office is reviewing the request.

Lindsey was fired from the state education department about a year ago. She could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.

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