Former Schrenko campaign manager pleads guilty to witness tampering

<p>The manager of former state schools Superintendent Linda Schrenko's failed 2002 campaign for governor pleaded guilty Tuesday to witness tampering in a federal investigation of campaign funds.</p><p>In the second guilty plea over the past seven days stemming from the investigation, Richard Leonard, 43, of Augusta admitted trying to keep someone from providing truthful information to federal law enforcement agents regarding the source of cash contributions, U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said.</p><p>Leonard, who also agreed to assist the investigation, had attempted to harass one of the individuals he had recruited to cash "focus group" checks, in the amount of $590 each, and give the money to the Schrenko campaign, Nahmias said.</p><p>He wanted the individual to tell investigators that the money had been paid for participating in a focus group, when in fact no focus group was held, the prosecutor said.</p><p>A former computer consulting company executive pleaded guilty Dec. 15 to illegally funneling money to Schrenko's campaign. Nahmias said then that Johnathan Turner, 36, of Barnesville admitted taking part in a scheme that allegedly provided the campaign with more than $100,000, exceeding the amount allowed by state law.</p><p>Schrenko, 54, was indicted last month on federal charges that she conspired with her former deputy superintendent, Merle Temple Jr., and computer consulting executive Stephan A. Botes to steal money designated to help Georgia's two state schools for the deaf and the governor's honor's program.</p><p>A federal grand jury accused the three of conspiring to make Department of Education payments to companies set up by Botes, though no services were provided. About $250,000 was diverted to the gubernatorial campaign, according to federal authorities.</p>