Former principal sentenced for embezzlement

Associated Press

A judge has sentenced a former high school prinicipal to a year and a day in prison for embezzlement.

Prosecutors said Michael James Maples took grant funds intended for Southeast High School.

Defense Attorney Susan Otto said Maples took the money because he was afraid of losing his children in an acrimonious divorce.

U.S. District Judge David Russell on Thursday also ordered Maples to pay $32,000 in restitution to the school district.