High School Principal Employed with Criminal Record

Oklahoma: Michael James Maples, principal at Memorial High School in Oklahoma City attested in his application that he had not been convicted of crimes other than traffic offenses to obtain his position as principal.

The laundry list of offenses Maples has racked up since 1980 include attempted larceny, alteration of public records, and wearing unauthorized badges and awards in a military court.

Maples claimed to be a military officer after he was demoted. He lied about being picked to teach at the United States Military Academy.

In 2008, he faced serious charges of stealing from an Oklahoma school district he once worked for.

How these crimes were able to remain hidden from district authorities is a mystery. Maples was convicted, yet again, on May 26 of making a false statement to obtain property or credit, and tampering with a government record. Maples will serve 10 years probation for his crime.