CLYDE, Ohio (AP) — A former schools chief accused of stealing nearly $300,000 from his northwest Ohio district has pleaded guilty to 10 felonies.
The Ohio auditor's office says former Clyde-Green Springs Superintendent Todd Helms entered his pleas Tuesday to charges including grand theft, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and evidence tampering. Helms faces up to 28 years in prison when he's sentenced Dec. 9.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to 19 counts.
Auditor Mary Taylor says Helms stole about $162,000 from six different school booster clubs, created phony companies to receive $110,000 in fraudulent payments and made $24,000 in unauthorized purchases.
In a statement, Taylor calls the guilty pleas a proper ending to the investigation.
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
