Corruption Charges in Detroit Schools Spur Calls for Education Reform

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Heritage Foundation:

Officials are calling for education reform after bribery indictments against Detroit public school officials and a supplier alleged $2.7 million in fraudulent spending, even as Michigan’s governor signed off on nearly $50 million in emergency spending.

 

“Principals are in positions of public trust and have an obligation to act in the best interest of their schools and the children … they represent,” Jarod Koopman, IRS special agent in charge, said in a formal statement. “Those principals who line their own pockets through fraudulent means violate this trust by making the conscious decision to deprive teachers of the very resources necessary to provide quality education.”

 

The investigation centered on Norman Shy, 74, a supplies vendor.

 

Koopman and other authorities said Shy conspired with 13 school officials from 2002 to 2015 to submit fraudulent invoices for more supplies than he delivered. The principals are thought to have approved the invoices in return for bribes and kickbacks from Shy.