Schools

Former FAMU officials face theft charges

TALLAHASSEE

Two former officials with Florida A&M University and Franklin County's literacy program were arrested Thursday on charges of scamming a federal grant program.

A 21-count federal indictment charged Patricia Walker McGill, 60, of Tallahassee and Bonnie Segree, 68, of Eastpoint with conspiracy, theft and mail fraud. Both were released on bond after making a first court appearance.

McGill, who had been director of FAMU's Institute on Urban Policy and Commerce, and Segree, who headed the literacy program, are accused of using education grant money to pay individuals for writing and submitting the grant applications although that is prohibited.

The indictment also alleges McGill required grant recipients to kick back part of the federal money to her and Segree and that she used grant money in Calhoun and Franklin counties to pay institute and state employees.
 

ORLANDO

Judge tosses suit on Segways at Disney

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against Walt Disney World aimed at forcing the company to allow disabled visitors to ride two-wheeled Segways in its theme parks.

U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell dismissed the suit from U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Wednesday after agreeing with Disney's contention that none of the three people who sued had any standing to do so, because none of them showed any intention to visit the resort in the near future.

Disney says it has safety concerns about allowing Segways to maneuver through its often-crowded parks and that it has no practical way to gauge whether a Segway user entering a park is trained on the scooters. SeaWorld Orlando also bars Segways.

Both theme-park companies say they make other accommodations for disabled customers.

[Last modified February 22, 2008, 06:50:05]