Ellen's $500K Gift to Detroit School Still On Despite Bribery Scandal

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DETROIT, MI – The Lowe’s home improvement chain said Thursday it still plans to give $500,000 in assistance to a Detroit elementary school showcased by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in February, despite the fact that its principal is among a dozen administrators of the struggling school district accused of taking nearly $1 million in kickbacks and bribes.

Charles L. Spain Elementary-Middle School Principal Ronald Alexander, 60, of Detroit, who was featured on DeGeneres’ program, is among a dozen current and former principals facing federal bribery charges announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

The problems at the Spain elementary school are especially acute, and the rodent-infested school with warped gymnasium floors became a national symbol for Detroit Public Schools’ crumbling infrastructure.

“There continues to be great need at Spain Elementary School, and it has always been our intention to help improve the learning environment for these students," she said. "We are committed to completing the renovation project and technology upgrades and are making sure the proper safeguards are in place to ensure funds provided by Lowe’s directly benefit the students and community.”

Related

• 13 Detroit School Administrators Stole $1M: Feds
• Ellen DeGeneres Reveals $500K Surprise for Detroit School

Lowe’s said it would donate computers and technology, renovation materials and money to hire additional staff for the performing arts school that lacked the resources to hire violin, orchestra and drama teachers.

Additionally, teen heartthrob Justin Bieber announced on DeGeneres’ program in February that he’s giving Spain a $1 for each ticket sold when his World Purpose Tour comes to The Palace of Auburn Hills on April 25.

At the same time, DeGeneres said she was launching a GoFundMe effort to raise $1 million for the school district. So far, about $76,000 has been raised. You can give below.

Besides the current and former principals, who live in Detroit, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Novi, Southfield and elsewhere across the Detroit Metro, a current assistant superintendent who allegedly took $324,785 in kickbacks was charged.

Clara Flowers, 61, of Detroit, and Shy both were charged with one count of count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and one count of tax evasion for failure to report income.