Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent Cited By PA Ethics Panel

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission has ruled that Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet violated several provisions of the state Ethics Act. He's been ordered to repay more than $8,750 in restitution and investigative costs and forfeit 14 vacation days worth more than $12,000 in salary.

In a 147-page decision, the ethics commission ruled that Hamlet improperly received reimbursements for travel expenses that already had been paid by the district and that he improperly carried over and used vacation and personal days for himself from one year to the next in violation of his contract and accepted honoraria in recognition of appearances, speeches and presentations directly related to his position as superintendent.

The ethics commission also found deficiencies in Hamlet's financial interest statements in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The panel noted that Hamlet denies have committed another Ethics Act violation by accepting a trip with The Flying Classroom, which did business with the district. The trip was not part of the district's contract with the company.

But Hamlet agreed enough circumstantial evidence exists against him in taking the trip that a fact finder could be convinced an Ethics Act violation occurred.

According to a consent agreement in the matter:

• Hamlet must forfeit 14 days vacation time, worth $882 per day for a total of $12,356. If he has fewer vacation days remaining this year, he will pay the difference at a per diem rate of his salary.

• Hamlet will make payments of $3,250 and $2,908 to the district, which will forward the money to The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program for district graduates.

• Hamlet will pay $1,750 to the state and the ethics commission to cover some of the cost of the investigation into his activities.

• Hamlet must file amended financial interest statements for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

• Hamlet can't accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the district representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in the ethics violation settlement.

See the entire ruling here.

Hamlet read a statement at a news conference Thursday in which he said the ruling lacked "findings of intent to deceive the families, my staff and the taxpayers of Pittsburgh.”

“This is a great day for me personally as this two-year inquiry has been a cloud on my head, a heavy burden on my shoulders even though I know I have done nothing wrong,” Hamlet said. “With this review behind me, it looks like a fresh start.”

Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb, who filed the initial complaint with the ethics commission in 2019, said the findings confirmed much of his suspicions.

“The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education must now make appropriate changes to leadership to allow the district to get back to the important business of focusing on student achievement," Lamb said in a statement. "City families and children deserve nothing less.”

Hamlet was hired as superintendent in 2015. School directors renewed his contract last year through 2025 in a 7-2 vote with board members Sala Udin and William Gallagher voting against the extension.

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