Lawyers began interviewing potential jurors Tuesday in the federal theft and conspiracy trial of former state schools Superintendent Linda Schrenko.

Schrenko is accused of stealing more than $600,000 in federal education money to pay for her failed campaign for governor and a facelift, among other things.

Schrenko, 55, sat with attorney Pete Theodocion as dozens of potential jurors filed one-by-one into a courtroom at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building.

Schrenko, computer consulting executive Stephan Botes and businessman Peter Steyn, his company's chief financial officer, face dozens of federal counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. They face up to 20 years in prison on each count, although it is rare for judges to sentence defendants to the maximum in such cases.

Defense lawyers and federal prosecutors took turns questioning potential jurors about topics ranging from their political activities to their opinion of Schrenko and relationships with teachers and other employees of the state Department of Education. Schrenko, a Republican, headed the department from 1995-2002.

"I'm appreciative of her efforts that have provided betterment for Georgia school students," one prospective juror said in a questionnaire he had filled out earlier.

Several potential jurors were asked whether a defendant's financial success would affect their opinions and at least one, a black woman from Gwinnett County, was asked if she would be biased against a defendant from South Africa.

In the late '80s and early '90s, Botes's Computer Consulting Services Corp. was listed as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation.

He is the great-great-grandson of the first president of the Republic of South Africa and was jailed for refusing military service during the nation's apartheid era, according to a biography released by his defense team.

Merle Temple, Schrenko's one-time friend and former deputy superintendent and campaign manager, pleaded guilty to charges in the case last year. He is expected to testify for the prosecution.

Prosecutors say Schrenko funneled $614,000 in federal Department of Education money to companies owned by Botes, who provided no services. Some of those funds were intended for state schools for the deaf.

Instead, the government says about half of that money was steered to Schrenko's failed campaign for governor in 2002. Another $9,300 was used by Schrenko for cosmetic surgery, according to the indictment.

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