Skiatook superintendent does not enter a plea

TULSA - Former Skiatook superintendent, Dr. Gary Johnson, is back in the courtroom Wednesday morning.

Johnson is accused of embezzlement and taking a bribe from a public official. A state audit found the district overspent half a million dollars on supplies.

During the arraignment, Gary Johnson did not enter a plea, and when he was walking out of the courtroom he had nothing to say to reporters.

A state audit of Skiatook Public Schools found the district paid up to four times the actual cost for security equipment and custodial supplies by going through a middle man in Oklahoma City.

During Wednesday's proceedings, Johnson's attorney said the state's accusations are not substantial enough to be criminal charges. He said the time frame for the alleged embezzlement was vague and indefinite.

A judge overruled the demurrer and did not enter a plea on behalf of Johnson.

Back in March, parents in the Skiatook School District started a petition calling for the grand jury investigation. It then took about three weeks for a grand jury to hear the case and present their accusations.

Johnson resigned from his position as superintendent in May amid the allegations.

He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on August 11 at 9:30 in the morning.