DENVER -- The former superintendent of the Delta County School District has been charged with one count of filing a false tax return for 2002.

According to federal prosecutors, on or about April 15, 2003, Laddie Livingston, 67, of Paonia, filed a joint U.S. Income Tax Return for 2002.

The information alleges that Livingston reported income totaling $102,110, when he knew his income was more than $200,000.

U.S. Attorney Troy Eid said, “There are criminal consequences, including being sent to prison, for lying on income tax returns.”

Filing a false tax return carries a penalty of not more than three years in federal prison, and a fine of up to a $250,000.

Mesa State College has a biography of Laddie L. Livingston on its Web Site. It says: Laddie’s career in public education has spanned four decades as teacher, coach, sponsor, principal, and for the past 18 years, chief executive officer of Delta County Schools. His lifelong commitment is rooted in the genuine belief that the Republic in which we enjoy so many freedoms cannot survive, much less prosper, without a strong system of public education that offers all, regardless of race, creed, or economic status, a legitimate opportunity to be well educated.

It went on to say: He was later instrumental in the creation of the Centers for Applied Learning, children’s museums, a Vision school that supports real parent choice and a backpack program for young children. These have received international recognition and have brought over 9,000 visitors from all over the world to Delta County. In 1993 he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. Laddie has been married to his childhood sweetheart Judy Abseck for 42 years; they have three children and six grandchildren.