Ex-LW School District Supt. Lawrence Wyllie Gets Trial Date

A trial date has been set for Dec. 3 for the federal fraud case involving former Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Supt. Lawrence Wyllie, who faces faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of embezzlement, according to the Chicago Tribune. Prosecutors and Wyllie's defense lawyer agreed with U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman on Tuesday that three weeks should be enough time to carry out the trial, the report added.

Wyllie, 79, was indicted by a grand jury in September, and he's accused of misusing district bond money to finance his own projects. He allegedly spent $50,000 on Superdog, a dog-training school, and he is accused of paying himself a $16,000 retirement stipend not in his contract, according to the indictment.

During his time as superintendent, Wyllie allegedly hid the "true financial health" of the district, the indictment states. Overall, he is accused of creating at least $7 million in additional debt for the L-W district, according to the complaint.

RELATED: Former LW 210 Supt. Lawrence Wyllie Indicted

Wyllie retired as superintendent in 2013, and Scott Tingley was named to the position. In 2015, the district was put on the state's financial watch list, causing it to close Lincoln-Way North High School in June 2016. The school board is now gathering estimates on the cost of appraising the building, which opened in 2008, for a potential sale.

RELATED: Appraiser Sought For Possible LW North Sale

If convicted, Wyllie could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count. The embezzlement carries a maximum 10-year sentence if convincted.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Former Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Supt. Lawrence Wyllie (Photo via Patch archive)