The founder of a California charter school with ties to a controversial religious movement is facing up to 17 years in prison after being convicted of stealing taxpayer funds and defrauding private investors.
When a judge sentences former Gateway Academy Superintendent Khadijah Ghafur next month, he will probably close the books on a Fresno-based charter school with ties to both Sunnyvale and Lahore, Pakistan -- home of the spiritual leader of a fringe Muslim group whose members have been linked to criminal activity in the United States and Canada.
Ghafur has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and blamed the Gateway investigation on post-Sept. 11 prejudice against Muslims.
But Ghafur's attorney said Monday that he doesn't see any grounds for appealing the findings of a Fresno jury, which convicted her Friday on 13 felony counts, including grand theft and misuse of public funds. ``I try very hard not to second-guess juries after they issue verdicts,'' said defense attorney Franz Criego, who added that he expects his client will receive a significant prison sentence when she returns to court Aug. 10. She is in Fresno County jail without bail.
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