Former DeKalb Superintendent Crawford Lewis Takes Plea Deal, Will Testify

In May of 2010, Crawford Lewis and three others were indicted on charges that included racketeering.

It stemmed from a lengthy investigation into how contracts were given for school construction projects.

Now, Lewis is taking a guilty plea of obstructing a law-enforcement officer.

That’s just a misdemeanor, and WABE legal analyst Page Pate says it’s a very good deal for Lewis:

“He goes from facing racketeering and other felony charges that carry a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison to one misdemeanor count which is most likely going to result in 12 months’ probation.”The audio version of the story.

  An official with the DeKalb County district attorney’s office told WABE a judge’s gag order prevents any public comments about the case.

But the official did confirm that Crawford Lewis will cooperate with the prosecution.

Still accused of racketeering and other charges are DeKalb construction manager Pat Reid and her husband Tony Pope.

Jury selection for the trial begins October 28^th.