Hornsby Pleads Not Guilty

Ex-Chief Accused Of Kickback Scheme

Former Prince George's County schools chief Andre J. Hornsby pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts yesterday in his first appearance in court since his indictment on corruption and other charges.

Hornsby, who was forced from his job last year amid questions about his stewardship of the region's third-largest school system, told Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day that he understood the charges and listened patiently as his rights were explained.

"I plead not guilty to all of the allegations," Hornsby said, speaking softly in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.

Hornsby, 52, was indicted Aug. 23 by a federal grand jury on charges of steering school business to associates in exchange for kickbacks that were intended to exceed $100,000 and possibly include expensive art or a yacht.

Although it would be exceedingly rare for a defendant in such a case to receive the maximum punishment if convicted, Hornsby could be sentenced to 20 years in prison for each of 12 mail or wire fraud counts and 10 years for each of three witness tampering counts and for an obstruction of justice count.

Hornsby, formerly of Mitchellville, lives in Tulsa, according to court documents. Hornsby was permitted to remain free both before and after his court appearance.

Day ordered that Hornsby temporarily have no direct contact with current or former employees of either the school system or of LeapFrog SchoolHouse, an educational software vendor. Hornsby is accused of arranging a $1 million purchase from the company, where his then-girlfriend worked as a saleswoman, and splitting a $20,000 commission with her.

The woman, Sienna Owens, has been charged with a tax violation. Sources have said that Owens has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because her cooperation has not been publicly disclosed.

Hornsby is also accused of insisting that another associate's company be given a consulting contract to help secure funds under the federal E-Rate program. To conceal kickbacks that would have exceeded $100,000, Hornsby is alleged to have suggested that the associate buy him art, a yacht or other valuable items.

The indictment also alleges that he instructed school system employees to destroy backup computer tapes containing his and other employees' e-mail and that he tried to persuade an associate in that case not to cooperate with a subpoena for computer files.

Yesterday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pauzé requested an open-ended order barring Hornsby from contact with employees of LeapFrog and the school system. Hornsby's attorney, Robert C. Bonsib, called it "an overly broad request."

Day issued the temporary order, and Bonsib and Pauzé agreed to narrow the list of associates with whom Hornsby may have no contact.