ATLANTA - The first of more than 30 defendants expected to surrender by today's deadline in Atlanta's school cheating scandal have turned themselves in to authorities.
Fulton County Jail records show that Kennedy Middle School instructional coach Tameka Goodson was in custody early today on charges of racketeering and making false statements and writings.
Her attorney, Raymond Lail, told WAGA-TV that Goodson is "absolutely not guilty of these charges."
WSB-TV reports that a second suspect, Usher/Collier Heights Elementary School test coordinator Donald Bullock, turned himself in around 6 a.m. to face charges related to the scandal.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Benteen Elementary testing coordinator Theresia Copeland also surrendered today.
Thirty-five Atlanta educators, including former Superintendent Beverly Hall, are named in a 65-count indictment that alleges a broad conspiracy involving cheating on standardized tests.