By By Lisa Tindell & Kerry Whipple-Bean
Former Southern Normal Director Margaret Breland-Bradley and her husband, Charles Bradley Jr., used public property from Alabama State University as well as inmate labor to build a gazebo and complete other construction projects at their home and business, according to an indictment handed down by an Escambia County grand jury.
Breland-Bradley, who is also the former Escambia County Schools superintendent, and her husband were arrested Friday on felony counts of ethics violations and theft of property, law enforcement officials said.
Breland-Bradley was charged with six counts of ethics violations. Breland-Bradley was placed on leave last year from her position as director of Alabama State University's Southern Normal campus, and later her contract was not renewed at the Brewton campus during an investigation into her management of funds at the school.
ASU officials would not comment on the indictment Friday afternoon. Calls placed by The Brewton Standard to the Bradley residence were unanswered.
The indictments stemmed from an Ethics Commission violation, law enforcement officials said. Because Breland-Bradley was an employee of the state at the time, her charges are ethics violations.
Charles Bradley, who was not an employee of the school, was charged with one count of first-degree theft of property and two counts of second-degree theft of property.
Each was able to pay $10,000 in bond, according to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
If convicted, Breland-Bradley faces two to 20 years in prison on each count; her husband faces one to 10 years on the second-degree theft charges and two to 20 years on the first-degree theft charge.
According to the indictment, Breland-Bradley:
According to the indictment, Charles Bradley Jr.:
Breland-Bradley served as superintendent of Escambia County Schools from 1999-2000. Her contract was not renewed in 2000 after a split vote amid questions about spending practices, according to news reports from the time. Breland-Bradley later sued the school district alleging racial and gender discrimination, but a U.S. District Court judge dismissed the suit in 2003, saying she had not presented sufficient evidence.