The former maintenance director of the Boone County (West Virginia) school district has pleaded guilty to defrauding the school system of more than $3.4 million.
WOWK-TV reports that Michael David Barker, 47, of Foster, entered his plea Monday in federal court.
Barker was indicted in December on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 11 counts of mail fraud, three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and three counts of money laundering.
“Mr. Barker took advantage of Covid-19 pandemic relief funds and put his own greed above the interests of the Boone County School system and the children it serves,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.
In a related case, Barker's parents, Michael P. Barker, 68, and Lana Barker, 66, pleaded guilty in March to structuring transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements. They admitted to making 11 cash deposits to their bank accounts in amounts ranging from $8,000 to $9,500; banks are required to report cash deposits of more than $10,000. the couple also admitted that they received funds from their son.
Court documents show that from around November 2019 through December 2023, Barker conspired with Jesse Marks, owner of Rush Enterprises, to overbill the Boone County district for supplies such as hand soap, trash can liners, face masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer.
Prosecutors say Barker approved invoices on Rush Enterprises’ behalf that “significantly inflated the number of products that were actually delivered to Boone County Schools.”
Court records show Marks, 65, of Rush, Kentucky, would deposit the checks into a business bank account, then write himself checks on that account and cash those checks at different banks. According to court documents, Marks then gave some of the cash to Barker.
According to court documents, the Boone County district paid a total of $4,310,714.82 to Rush Enterprises throughout the scheme. Barker admitted that about 80% of that, or $3,448,571.85, was paid based on the fraudulent invoices.
For his part in the scheme, Marks pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He is awaiting sentencing.
Barker’s sentencing is scheduled for July 31, and he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on top of the $3,400,000 restitution he owes. His parents are scheduled to be sentenced this summer.
