Former Chicago Public Schools Chief to Plead Guilty in Bribery Scheme

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett will plead guilty to charges she steered no-bid contracts worth more than $23 million to an education firm where she once worked,the Chicago Tribune and other sources reported.

Byrd-Bennett has been charged with 15 counts of mail fraud and five counts of wire fraud in a 23-count indictment levied against her and owners of SUPES Academy, the firm that once employed Byrd-Bennett and had conspired with the former CEO for promises of hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks, other perks and a job once she resigned from the CPS post.

An investigation began when it was found out that one no-bid contract for principal training had been entered into between CPS and SUPES for $20.5 million. 

According to the Chicago Tribune:

The 23-count indictment alleges that almost immediately after Mayor Rahm Emanuel installed her as public schools chief in 2012, Byrd-Bennett began scheming with Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas, co-owners of SUPES Academy, to secure the contracts to train principals and school administrators.

In return, Byrd-Bennett was promised a “signing bonus” of more than $250,000 and a job at SUPES once she stepped down as the public schools CEO, the indictment charges. She also was given meals and tickets to sporting events and expected to be reimbursed for a holiday party she hosted for CPS personnel, according to the charges.”

The indictment also alleges that Solomon offered to arrange employment for friends of Byrd-Bennett’s.

more via the Chicago Tribune