Gnadenhutten, OHIO

Teacher pleads guilty to illegal interception of e-mail in union dispute.

NOT GUILTY PLEAS Dec 10, 2007 - Tammy K. Houston, 36, an Indian Valley teacher, and Tammy R. Harrison, 34, wife of former IV technology coordinator Ted Harrison, pleaded not guilty to illegal interception of electronic communications – the e-mail – and possession of 15 or more unauthorized electronic devices – computer names and passwords.

Federal prosecutors filed charges against the two as a result of an investigation into how a personal e-mail message from Superintendent Randy Cadle was disseminated to Indian Valley Local teachers during contract negotiations earlier this year.

According to investigators, a personal e-mail message from Cadle was forwarded to Indian Valley teachers on Nov. 29. In the e-mail, Cadle commented that he would like to “smack every one of them” while venting his frustration with teachers’ contract negotiations. Ted Harrison resigned. He was not charged. A trial is scheduled for Feb 19.

GUILTY PLEA March 5, 2008 - Houston, 36, pleaded guilty Monday to illegal interception of electronic communications. A related count of possession of 15 or more unauthorized electronic devices likely will be dismissed. Houston has been on unpaid leave. She will be sentenced May 27.

Harrison, 34, pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor computer trespass violation. She originally faced the same charge as Houston.