A judge overseeing the case against dozens of Atlanta educators accused of a conspiracy to cheat on standardized tests is expressing concerns about whether their statements to investigators were coerced by investigators.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter addressed prosecutors at a hearing this week, telling them "I am seriously concerned about your case."

The judge told prosecutors it appeared to him that defendants had been threatened with the prospect of losing their jobs if they didn't cooperate with the investigation.

At issue is whether prosecutors improperly relied upon tainted testimony to obtain an indictment.

In March, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall and 34 other educators were named in a 65-count indictment alleging a conspiracy to cheat in order to bolster student test scores.

Tags: Atlanta Public Schools, CRCT cheating, test cheating, standardized test cheating scandal, cheating scandal, standardized test cheating, APS Cheating, cheating indictments