Georgia’s State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox (photo courtesy of Georgia Department of Education)
Cox had announced she was giving the money she received from her August appearance on Fox's "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" to three public schools for deaf and blind students.
But the superintendent and her husband filed for bankruptcy Nov. 17, claiming $3.5 million in debt.
The bankruptcy trustee has made a claim on the prize money, saying it's part of Cox's personal income.
A spokesman for Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker said the state believes the money was always intended for the schools and never belonged to Cox.
The Fox Broadcasting Co. will not release the money until both parties work out an agreement.
