Detroit principals line up for guilty pleas in federal corruption probe

DETROIT – Many Detroit school principals accused of taking kickbacks from a contractor have struck deals with the government and are scheduled to plead guilty.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 11 guilty pleas so far are scheduled in April and May, including deals with nine principals. The man at the center of the probe, vendor Norman Shy, is scheduled to plead guilty on May 11.

The principals are accused of taking kickbacks on inflated invoices for classroom supplies. It's another blow to the Detroit school system, which is struggling with perilous finances and an unflattering reputation.

A dozen principals and an administrator are charged. Shy's company received about $2.7 million over 13 years from the district.

James Hearn, Clara Smith, Nina Graves-Hicks, Ron Alexander, Gerlma Johnson, Wyllie Pearsall, Ronnie Sims, Tanya Bowman, Clara Flowers, Norman Shy, Tia'von Moore Patton, Beverly Campbell and Stan Johnson all have plea dates scheduled at the end of this month and throughout May.Â