In going through all of this old material about Montgomery County Schools superintendent Joshua Powell, we’ve found quite a few fun tidbits to share with you.
An excerpt from Powell’s response, via attorney, to the original OEA/EPSB case against him. Specifically regarding his conviction in Ohio:
Counts Six through Nine of the EPSB’s Statement of Charges and Issues (“Statement”) assert that Powell should be subjected to discipline because he responded “No” when asked whether he had “been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor (other than a moving traffic violation), been found guilty or entered a plea or nolo contendre (no contest), even if adjudication was withheld, in Kentucky or any other state.” Powell’s response expressly stated that it was “true, and correct, and complete to the best of [his] knowledge. He has provided a sworn affidavit supporting his contention that his “No” response was, in fact, “true, and correct, and complete to the best of [his] knowledge.”
Fascinating, eh?
It goes on:
It is completely understandable that Powell would not recall, three years later, that a ticket was issued in connection with a scuffle in a parking lot when he was fresh out of college. It is also completely understandable that Powell would not recall a friend’s payment of ticket on his behalf, or understanding or even considering that such a payment could result in there being a record of his having pled guilty to minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Again, once Powell became aware, as a result of this proceeding, that such a record existed, he immediately and successfully took steps to have the record sealed.
You catch that? Claiming it’s normal to forget, just a couple years later, about an arrest and conviction? More on this next week – when you’ll hear Powell discuss this matter in his own words, suggesting he not only didn’t forget about the incident but willfully chose to ignore it. Because you don’t suddenly remember mountains of detail about something like that after getting caught.
The best part may be Powell’s move to have the records sealed after getting caught.
For the record, here’s how the EPSB responded in a brief:
Respondent was cited for Disorderly Conduct, a minor misdemeanor, in Chillicothe, Ohio, on August 6, 1997. A certified copy of the criminal case history shows that a guilty plea was entered on August 15, 1997, and lists Respondent as payor of the assessed fine.
So… looks like Powell paid it and not a friend, as he swore in an affidavit.
There’s not a lot that can be said about this. Too bizarre for words.
Sorry for not including a pee alert, folks.
