Former Superintendent Pleads Guilty To Federal Program Theft
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. ‑ A resident of North Salt Lake, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of federal program theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Dr. Dennis L. Bruno, 59, the former Superintendent of Glendale School District, and now of North Salt Lake, Utah, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Oct. 3, 2005, to July 18, 2006, Bruno, in his capacity as Superintendent of Glendale School District, intentionally misapplied $49,600 of federal funds from the Fund for the Improvement of Education program, a program funded by the United States Department of Education. Additionally, in his plea agreement with the United States, Dr. Bruno stipulated and agreed that he was also involved in a conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States relating to the federally funded E-Rate Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The E-Rate Program was created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the auspices of the FCC. The program provides subsidies to economically disadvantaged schools and libraries for the cost of internet access and telecommunications services, as well as internal computer and communications networks. Dr. Bruno agreed and stipulated that he conspired with others to obtain E-Rate Program money in the amount of $414,421.92.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania Office of the Auditor General Special Investigations Office, the United States Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bruno.
