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February 29, 2008

Audit: Marble City School boss misspent more than $1M

Former Marble City School Superintendent Larry Duane Couch misspent more than $1 million of school funds, according to a state audit released Friday.

Couch appears to have purchased everything from a $4,730 tractor to a dually pickup without the board’s knowledge, according to the audit. Some items were taken to the school after the investigation audit began, the report states.

Marble City School consists of pre-K through the eighth grade. They have an enrollment of approximately 162 students. Marble City is located north of Sallisaw in Sequoyah County.

The audit reflects Couch funneled more than $791,000 of school warrants into a secret bank account for his personal use and $109,489.57 in checks from the Cherokee Nation payable to the school. In addition, $47,104.50 in checks from miscellaneous sources payable to the school were deposited in the account.

Federal impact aid funds of $100,000 were used to help pay for another land purchase for Couch, the audit states.

Click here to read the entire audit.
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