Attorneys for the former superintendent of the Vigo County School Corporation filed a motion Tuesday asking the Marion Superior Court to dismiss charges of bribery.
Former Superintendent Danny Tanoos is accused of accepting bribes from Energy Systems Group in exchange for a contract between the corporation and the school district. Court documents filed last month say Tanoos accepted gifts, including dinners and tickets to events.
The motion to dismiss the charges claims that the Marion County court has no jurisdiction over the case. It argues that since Tanoos is a resident of Vigo County, and not Marion County, the court has no jurisdiction over him. And because the events cited in the charges also took place outside of the county – including a dinner in Nashville, Tennessee, and a concert in Hamilton County – the motion argues they should also be dismissed.
Tanoos’ attorneys also claim the events don’t constitute a bribe, as there was no “concrete action.” They argue that Tanoos is charged with accepting or soliciting a bribe with an intent to recommend Energy Systems Group for a contract – not award the contract himself.
The documents also say that the charges lack specificity and certainty.
Tanoos filed a memorandum in support of his attorneys’ motion.
Tanoos retired as superintendent in June. The Vigo County School Corporation's board voted to end his current position as director of safety earlier this month.