School officials released on bond at arraignment hearing

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Four persons charged in connection with a scheme to sell air purifiers to Carrollton Schools and conceal the transaction faced a judge for the first time Jan. 5.

School Superintendent Dr. David Quattrochi, whose resignation was accepted Dec. 9 by the board of education, School Board Member Michael Pozderac, Teacher Jackie Pozderac and Gus Nickolas all appeared for arraignment hearing before Common Pleas Judge Michael V. Repella, II. Individually, each entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

Quattrochi and the Pozderacs are charged with 10 counts, including Theft in Office, third-degree felony; Grand Theft by Deception, fourth-degree felony; three counts of Having an Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract, fourth-degree felonies; Telecommunications Fraud, third-degree felony; Money Laundering, third-degree felony; Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, first-degree felony; Soliciting or Accepting Improper Compensation and Representation by Present Official Prohibited, both first-degree misdemeanors. Gus Nickolas is facing felony counts of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Money Laundering, Theft in Office, Grand Theft, Having an Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract, Telecommunications fraud and Receiving Stolen Property.

Nickolas was previously released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond during a Dec. 12 bond hearing. 

Bond was set for the other three at $100,000 personal recognizance bond with stipulations they appear for future hearings, not change their address or phone numbers and have their phones on at all times so they are accessible to the court’s probation department. 

Lawyers for the four all declined to comment on the case. 

Next up will be a pre-trial Feb. 23.