This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

It is a mis-use of taxpayer funds for CUSD to be retaining a law firm to represent Lynn Hatton Hodson

CUSD Board Policy 9270 clearly state's "Governmental Ethics and avoiding conflicts of interest are your personal responsibility.

On Saturday October 1, 2016 I received a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding Trustee Hatton-Hodson's failure to report her business interest in InnovateEd, Systems Leadership Collaborative and LCAPca.





This letter was mailed on September 28, 2016.

There is a cc: to a Mr. Adam Silver of Olsen, Hagel & Fishburn LLP.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

On September 28, 2016 CUSD, Trustees were asked to vote to approve the hiring of this law firm.

At the September 28, 2016 BOT meeting CUSD is retaining Olson Hagel & Fishburn LLP to: "Provide legal services regarding Fair Political Practices Commission matters and related advice.".

Trustee Hatoon - Hodson is an elected official and is responsible for her 700 form.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Board Policy 9270 clearly states that Governmental Ethics and avoiding conflicts of interest are your personal responsibility.

It is a mis-use of taxpayer funds for CUSD to be retaining this firm to represent Lynn Hatton Hodson and every Trustee who voted to approve this contract has breached their fiduciary duty to taxpayers and students.

Obviously this firm was retained prior to receiving Board Approval.



The contract can be found at the following link:

http://capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1218998819331/1455438848279/9111586113321678304.pdf Exhibit #4 - no page numbers so you need to scroll to find it.


As a taxpayer, I am very concerned about the amount of money (over $2 million dollars last month alone) that has been spent on technology and professional development. Trustee Lynn Hatton - Hodson owns a company, InnovateEd that is in the education field and provides professional development services to the education community. She failed to disclose her business interests on her form 700's. At the same time her business has grown from under $1 million dollars as stated on previous form 700's to its present $2.4 million. As a result, I asked the District Attorney to look into potential conflict of interest charges against Trustee Hatton-Hodson. I also filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission. Both investigations are on-going.



Letter to District Attorney:

http://disclosurecusd.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-28-2016-letter-to-da-tony.html



Fair Political Practices Complaint:

http://disclosurecusd.blogspot.com/2016/09/fair-political-practices-complaint.html










The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from San Juan Capistrano