Chicago school board seeks $65 million in lawsuit against ex-CEO

[jpak]

Source: Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Board of Education is seeking more than $65 million in damages and penalties in a lawsuit against former district CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and her co-defendants in a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme.

"In plain terms, Defendants have stolen money from Plaintiff and the schoolchildren of the City of Chicago, and that money should be returned," the school board said in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Also named in the lawsuit is SUPES Academy and Synesi Associates, companies that won more than $23 million in no-bid contracts from CPS while Byrd-Bennett was CEO; Gary Solomon, owner of the companies; and his partner, Thomas Vranas.

Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty in October to a single federal count of wire fraud. She faces up to about 7 1/2 years in federal prison. Byrd-Bennett is cooperating with prosecutors, and sentencing has been postponed until the charges against Solomon and Vranas are resolved.

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Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-schools-sues-former-superintendent-0311-20160310-story.html

[Wilms]

1. Clinton bud Rahm appointed this woman.

[Laurian]

2. Haven't seen much of him lately.

He must be in a bunker somewhere.

[saturnsring]

3. she helped run cleveland schools (into the ground) she helped herself to a huge chunk

of cash that was to be used for the csd,, im very glad to see her going to jail

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. Rahmbo being named too?

[NCjack]

6. Surely, nothing like this happens in Chicago without Mr. Mayor dipping into it. /nt

[rpannier]

7. Of course not

He keeps just far enough away and keeps the paper trail at a minimum which allows for deniability
A few years ago some people here touted Rahm as the smartest guy in the room
I wonder if they still feel that now?

[houston16revival]

5. Privatization

Sweetheart deals, no-bid contracts, inside deals with little groups of friends

It's been done in state after state .... lotteries, turnpikes, charter schools, prisons

Wait until the Republicans get their hands on federal lands and the National Parks