A southeastern Kentucky school board chairman who was under investigation for perjury is now accused of having someone else take a GED exam for him.

The investigation involving Dexter Smith, head of the Knox County School Board, was launched a few weeks ago after allegations surfaced that Smith did not meet the requirements to hold elected office.

Smith does not have a valid high school diploma. He says that is an oversight and he received an online equivalent, which is not recognized by the state.

"I have a transcript and a diploma," Smith told WYMT-TV last month. "Then, when I was questioned about it, I went ahead and got the GED on top of it, so I have both. So, now I have a diploma, and the GED."

Two weeks ago, state police opened an investigation into a perjury charge because Smith signed a sworn statement that he met the qualifications to run for school board.

During that investigation, state police say they confirmed another individual took the GED test for Smith when he went to the Jackson County Adult Education Center for the exam. An employee there took the exam for Smith, police say.

The attorney for the Jackson County school system, Larry Bryson, says that employee retired on Monday after the investigation came to light. Bryson said the employee was a long-time employee of the school system.

Smith had not been charged as of Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, the GED Testing Service released the following statement:

GED Testing Service has suspended all testing at the Jackson County Test Center (operated by Jackson County Public Schools) pending a full investigation. One of the benefits of computer-based testing is our ability to access a wealth of information useful in investigating incidents of this nature. Our staff will continue to assist law enforcement. We take these allegations very seriously, and protecting the integrity of the GED program and Kentucky's high school equivalency credential remains our top priority.

Kentucky State Police say they plan to present the case to a Knox County Grand Jury.