Dallas ISD Chief of Staff Jerome Oberlton Resigns Over Federal Criminal Probe (updated 6/3/2013)
Last edited Mon Jun 3, 2013, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)
Type Jerome Oberlton's name into Google, and one of the first things to pop up is a Baltimore Sun article detailing all the places he used the local school district's credit cards. These included businesses like Bath & Body Works and Ross, which would seem to provide little of use for the head of a public school district's technology department. A bit further down in the search results, you'll find mention of the $250,000 Oberlton spent renovating his executive suite.
Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles was aware of those reports when he hired Oberlton as his chief of staff in January. As district spokesman Jon Dahlander relayed to the Morning News at the time, Miles "has spoken with Mr. Oberlton about his entire tenure on numerous occasions, and he is aware of that story. He understands the sensitivity of the situation. He is still very comfortable with him coming on board."
Miles' comfort was misplaced. That much became clear this morning when word of Oberlton's departure began circulating. At first, it seemed like yet another in the series of high-profile defections that have marked Miles' first year in DISD. It soon became clear, however, that Oberlton's case is different. He announced to Miles he's the subject of a federal criminal investigation.
The investigation, according to DISD, stems from Oberlton's tenure with Atlanta Public Schools. That district is engulfed in a cheating scandal that's left many of Oberlton's former colleagues facing conspiracy charges. The specifics of Oberlton's case aren't yet clear, but one assumes it's related.
More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2013/05/disd_chief_of_staff_resigns.php .
[font color=navy]
Former DISD chief of staff Jerome Oberlton federally indicted for deal in Atlanta Public Schools
Former Dallas ISD chief of staff Jerome Oberlton has been indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of receiving at least $60,000 in kickbacks connected to a contract awarded by Atlanta Public Schools.
Oberlton resigned as Superintendent Mike Miles’ top lieutenant last week, after informing Miles that he was under federal investigation and expected to be indicted soon. Although he was indicted on seven counts on May 28, it was unsealed Monday.
His first scheduled court appearance is Tuesday morning before a federal magistrate judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The charges are conspiracy, conspiracy under color of official right, money laundering conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and bribery.
-snip-
After his departure, Miles requested a review of Oberlton’s work in DISD. A few days later, his previous school district, the Baltimore City Public Schools, launched an investigation of contracts awarded from the technology department he ran there.
More at http://educationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/former-disd-chief-of-staff-jerome-oberlton-federally-indicted-for-deal-in-atlanta-public-schools.html/ .[/font]
[font color=green]Oberlton's salary was $185,000 per year in case anyone is looking for a job.[/font]
= new reply since forum marked as read
