APS: "Conclusive Evidence" of Address Fraud at Grady HS

The investigation of football recruiting at Midtown’s Grady High School has revealed “conclusive evidence” that parents falsified enrollment affidavits for students who live both outside of the Grady attendance zone and the city of Atlanta.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis released a statement late Friday afternoon outlining how parents who are found guilty of falsifying enrollment affidavits will have to pay up to $10,000 to reimburse APS for tuition costs as well as face other legal consequences that may be pursued.

In addition, the players, known of whom have been identified, who were fraudulently enrolled at the school will have to leave the school.

Last week, the district announced that it had launched the investigation, which stemmed from an anonymous written complaint, into whether approximately 20 players – about a third of the team – used fake home addresses so they could play for the Grey Knights this season.

Head coach Ronnie Millen Sr., has been reassigned pending the results of the investigation. Millen, who has been at the Midtown school for 28 years and served as the head football coach since 2001, won his 100th game this past season as the Grey Knights finished with an 8-3 record.

The investigation is ongoing and school officials, including Grady Principal Vincent Murray and Athletic Director Kathleen Washington, have declined to comment on the situation. Friday’s statement from Davis is below.

Are you surprised at all about the address fraud at Grady and do you think it’s possible no one at the school knew this was taking place? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

From Superintendent Erroll Davis:

On December 9, we announced that Atlanta Public Schools (APS) was investigating a complaint that alleged address fraud and recruitment of football players at Grady High School. Today, we would like to provide an update. After interviewing the majority of the parents and guardians of the Grady High School Football team, APS has conclusive evidence of address fraud.

Specifically, we have confirmed that parents falsified enrollment affidavits for students who live outside of the Grady attendance zone, and in some instances, outside of the city of Atlanta. The interviews also revealed additional issues that warrant further investigation.

Players who were fraudulently enrolled will be required to leave the school. Parents who falsified enrollment affidavits are subject to reimbursing the district tuition of up to $10,000 per school year, as well as other legal consequences that may be pursued.

While parents are ultimately responsible for false affidavits, there are issues of institutional control that must be addressed before we conclude this investigation. Integrity is paramount, and we want to send a message that false affidavits have academic, personnel, financial and legal consequences that are simply not worth it.

 This remains an ongoing investigation that will continue after the winter break.