KANSAS CITY — The former board president of a Kansas City charter school has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole.
Prosecutors say James Elliott Coleman also was ordered Friday to pay nearly $470,000 in restitution.
The 60-year-old Raytown man pleaded guilty in October 2006 to embezzling more than $47,000 from Allen Village Charter School. Fifteen days earlier, the former accountant admitted he came up with the money to pay back the thefts by participating in an $818,000 mortgage and investment fraud scheme.
While Coleman was free on bond, prosecutors allege he played a role in a $16.9 million mortgage fraud conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to that case in May 2007, and his bond was revoked. He has been in federal custody since January 2007.