The embezzlement charges were amended to include one count of racketeering, which carries a range of punishment of 10 years to life imprisonment, court records show.
The list of charges against Cupp now reads one count of racketeering, one count of embezzlement, two counts of erasure and or obliteration of an instrument, and one count of obtaining property by deception.
In the amended information, McKnight accuses Cupp in count one of converting school funds to her own use by approving requisitions and purchase orders to the vendors from whom she bought various articles of home furnishings and equipment in an amount exceeding $45,000.
Cupp is accused of forging the signature of Principal Curtis Moore, second co-signer required by the school for disbursement of school funds. She then allegedly converted more than $68,000 to her own use.
In count two Cupp is accused of depositing an insurance check made out to the school in the amount of $26,366.60 into her own account.
In counts three and four Cupp is accused of the erasure or obliteration of bank statements; creating and uttering forged checks; and embezzled cash from various deposits intended for the Central Public Schools Activity Fund Account.
In count five Cupp is accused of obtaining property by trick or deception by providing a false purchase order number, securing the tax exempt status to which the school is entitled.
Witnesses waited as Special District Judge Dennis Sprouse told them there would be another delay in the Cupp trial. Sprouse apologized to the witnesses that they would have to be called back for the preliminary hearing on Feb. 23.
Represented by Todd Hembree of Stilwell, Cupp pleaded not guilty to the new charges Monday. Sprouse recessed the proceedings long enough for both attorneys to make sure they could meet the Feb. 23 preliminary hearing date.
The trial had been delayed so Cupp could receive a court-ordered competency evaluation at the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita. Judged competent to assist with her defense, the preliminary hearing and trial can now be held.
Cupp was charged in August 2002 with the embezzlement of about $140,000 from the Central School Activity Account.
Cupp was fired from Central in July 2002, and is accused of spending most of the money on personal and household items for a new home she built on South Dogwood in Sallisaw, records show.
The Oklahoma State Auditor's office in Oklahoma City began an audit in June 2002 after being contacted by the school after the discovery that funds were missing.
