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APS grand jury expected to start deliberating this afternoon

Four years after Atlanta Public School teachers and administrators allegedly orchestrated one of the largest cheating operations in American education, we are expected to learn Friday which ones will face a judge.

A Fulton County grand jury is supposed to hear more testimony Friday morning, with deliberations to follow. WSB’s Pete Combs reports the results of those deliberations could be released in the afternoon.

That means incitements.

“I think this is going to be a very difficult period,” Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed said. “I think a lot of facts that are very painful are going to come out as part of the investigation.”

At least 35 defendants are named in the proposed indictment, including ranking administrators, principals, teachers and others, the source acknowledged, a source told Channel 2.

“Everybody’s anxious,” says Charles Grant, who is representing some of the educators. “Everybody wants to know if they are going to be included in the indictment or not. So there is a lot of concern.”

Tamara Johnson thinks she is one of those educators in the indictment.

Johnson was one of the top APS leaders, working under Superintendent Beverly Hall when the alleged cheating took place on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests in 2009.

"I don't want to cry. I can't cry right now. Look. See the bags (under my eyes)? I've been crying for two days, Johnson told Channel 2 Action News. "I have done right by children. I sleep well at night.”

Her lawyer, George Lawson, has told her to brace herself for the possibility she'll be indicted.

"Yes, my attorney has advised me to prepare for the worst-case scenario," Johnson said.

The special investigators allege Tamara Cotman, as Johnson was formerly known, provided false information and knew or should've known cheating and other misconduct was occurring.

Johnson says she fired seven people for cheating in her time with APS.

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