Columbus School Teacher Resigns Amid Fraud Charges

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A Columbus teacher indicted for fraud related to a test-taking scam has resigned from the Columbus School District.

Darcel Gardner of Columbus was indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on four counts of fraud in connection with a nation-wide cheating scam involving teacher certifications. She was placed on paid leave from the district in September after being accused of paying someone to take her Praxis biology exam in 2009 to obtain her teaching certification.

Authorities allege that Gardener paid Clarence Mumford Sr of Memphis, Tennessee one thousand dollars to have someone else take her exam.

The Columbus School Board approved Gardner’s resignation on May 1st and her last day with the district was Friday, May 24th.