The Chicago Public Schools district approved $150,000 in additional spending last month to cover legal representation costs for three aides of ex-CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.
The former schools chief was indicted Thursday on charges of allegedly steering no-bid CPS contracts to SUPES Academy, a principal training company and former employer of Byrd-Bennett.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the additional $150,000 in legal spending for the representation of the three aides, Sherry Ulery, Rosemary Herpel and Tracy Martin, was approved during a closed door session at the Chicago Board of Education's September 29 meeting. Thus far, the school district has approved $400,000 for legal representation payable to the law firm of Schiff Hardin, according to the newspaper.
The school district declined to comment when asked if the added legal spending was connected to the indictment against Byrd-Bennett as well as Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas, co-owners of SUPES Academy who were indicted alongside the former CPS CEO.
Comments
"Thus far, the school district has approved $400,000 for legal representation payable to the law firm of Schiff Hardin, according to the newspaper."
Was this spending approved on a no-bid basis?