ATLANTA - Georgia's former schools superintendent pleaded not guilty Monday to charges she stole more than $600,000 in education funds and spent the money on a face-lift and her failed campaign for governor.
Linda Schrenko was released on $40,000 bond after she entered her plea to an indictment accusing her of taking federal money meant for school computers.
Schrenko did not speak to reporters and said little during the hearing, except to tell the federal magistrate that she is taking medication for injuries from a car accident. She said it would not interfere with her ability to understand the proceedings.
Her lawyer, Pete Theodocion, said she denied all the allegations.
A grand jury handed up the indictment against Schrenko, 54, last week, and the government is seeking the return of at least $614,387.
Prosecutor Sally Yates says nearly half the money went to Schrenko's failed bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 2002. The indictment says Schrenko spent more than $9,000 on plastic surgery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Vineyard has called the case "a rather blatant theft of federal funds."
Two of her former associates were also indicted.
Schrenko she lost the 2002 GOP primary to Sonny Perdue, who went on to become governor that year. Schrenko was elected to two terms as schools superintendent, in 1994 and 1998.
