WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) A former grade school principal has been acquitted of larceny charges on accusations she raised more than $10,000 for personal use by selling treats in the school cafeteria and organized fundraisers to finance a nonexistent parent-teacher organization.

The Republican-American reports that a Waterbury Superior Court judge dismissed charges Wednesday against former Hopeville Elementary School Principal Maria Moulthrop for lack of proof.

Her lawyer says she'll pursue a federal civil rights suit against officials. She says they sought a conviction on their slush fund accusation because they couldn't prove accusations that Moulthrop cheated on test scores.

A request for comment could not be left with the school superintendent's office, which was not open early Thursday morning.

A September 2011 report said Moulthrop and former reading teacher Margaret Perugini were behind testing irregularities.