Ex-Chicago Public Schools leader charged with corruption

(Credit: AP) U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon told reporters that Byrd-Bennett, 66, was cooperating with federal investigators and planned to plead guilty, though to how…

Byrd-Bennett was charged with 15 counts of mail fraud and 5 counts of wire fraud, while Solomon, 47, was hit with 15 counts of mail fraud, two counts of bribery, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Byrd-Bennett had worked as a coach for SUPES prior to joining the Chicago school system.

The indictment also alleges that Solomon offered to arrange for jobs for friends of Byrd-Bennett in exchange for contracts. The companies agreed to hide the kickback money by funneling it into accounts set up in the names of two of Byrd-Bennett’s relatives, according to the indictment. Byrd-Bennett also expected to receive reimbursement from the companies for costs associated with a holiday party she hosted for CPS personnel, according to the charges. In another email, he allegedly said: “When this stint at CPS is done and you are ready to re re re retire, we have your spot waiting for you”.

Byrd-Bennett and Solomon were accused of detailing their scheme in emails.

The educational collective lavished the former schools chief with perks, including meals, travel and sports tickets, and promised her another job with more kickbacks disguised as a signing bonus after she stepped down from from the superintendent’s post, the indictment says.

“While acknowledging certain errors of judgement that he as well as others made in the contract process, and while he regrets his own errors, Mr. Solomon is disappointed in the breadth of the government’s charges”, said Shelly Kulwin, Soloman’s attorney.

Vranas and his attorney didn’t immediately return calls for comment.

“The public education system is harmed when a high-level insider chooses to line their pockets with public funds”, said Nicholas J. Schuler, inspector general for the district, which serves 400,000 students in 660 schools.

The announcement of the charges come as Emanuel and the Chicago Teachers Union are deadlocked over contract negotiations, with the mayor calling on teachers to take a 7% pay cut. The academy, which trains principals, turned over records to investigators, who also asked for documents from Byrd-Bennett and other employees. The SUPES contract began in 2013.

That day is likely to be Byrd-Bennett’s first public appearance after the charges against her were announced Thursday, and she is likely to face a throng of media.

She championed the shutdown of 50 neighborhood schools in May 2013, saying the district couldn’t afford to keep them open as enrollment dropped.