12 Detroit Principals Steal $1 Million In Kickbacks And Bribes | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

12 Detroit Principals Steal $1 Million In Kickbacks And Bribes

20
12 Detroit Principals Steal $1 Million In Kickbacks And Bribes
theGrio

A recent investigation by the federal government uncovers 12 Detroit principals stealing nearly $1 million in kickbacks and bribes, adding insult to injury as Detroit Public Schools already face poor conditions, underfunding and enormous debt.

One of the principals targeted is Spain Elementary-Middle School Principal, Ronald Alexander, who became the recipient of a $500,000 dollar donation on the Ellen DeGeneres show. In a clip, the school is shown to be in shambles: students are forced to wear coats in the classroom due to lack of heat, the gym is inoperable and so PE classes are performed in the hallways, the roof is falling apart and almost all of their technology does not work.


School counselor, Lakia Wilson, wrote on PBS Newshour's education blog that "the odorous smell of mold and mildew hits you like a brick wall" when entering the school. Ellen DeGeneres donated $500,000 to the school after seeing its state of disrepair. Justin Bieber even made a guest appearance and pledged to donate $1 of every ticket sold for an upcoming concert to Spain Elementary.

Ronald Alexander smiled jubilantly into the camera and said, "Of all the people in the world, I am the happiest principal on Earth. I love you! I love you again! This is the best."

While not related to donations from the show, Alexander allegedly took $23,000 in kickbacks and bribes.

Norman Shy, 74, is a businessman at the center of the scheme and is accused of paying $908,500 in kickbacks and bribes to at least 12 Detroit Public Schools principals.

These principals have been using Shy as a school supply vendor, submitting fraudulent invoices in exchange for the kickbacks and bribes through his ownership of Allstate Sales. Through these invoices, Shy has allegedly received $2.7 million from the school system.

Former principal of Henderson Elementary Clara Flowers, is the biggest offender of this scandal, who is accused of accepting more than $324,000 since 2009. Shy would keep a ledger of how much he owed Flowers, and the kickbacks came in the form of cash, gift cards and payments to contractors who renovated her house, according to documents cited by the Detroit Free Press.

The news comes at a critical time as the state struggles with fixing the finances of the Detroit district, accumulating an operating deficit of at least $515 million under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager since 2009. Many are calling into question the effectiveness of emergency managers appointed by the state. A financial review commission has been placed to oversee Detroit Public School finances.

“This is exactly why House Republicans were so adamant that strong fiscal oversight be a prerequisite to any additional state funding for Detroit’s corrupt and broken school administration," said Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant in a news release. "And it is why we will continue to insist that strong financial and academic reforms be a part of any long-term solution to decades of DPS failures."

Detroit Public Schools have a total debt nearing $3.5 billion with the multi-million dollar bribery scheme only adding insult to injury. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law $48.7 million in emergency funding for the schools a week before the allegations were made.

Only one of the attorneys for all 14 defendants offered to comment. Most were unavailable and two declined comment, saying it was too premature to discuss the case.

The charges against the defendants are from an audit of the Education Achievement Authority, which was supposed to oversee and help Detroit's schools. Red flags were raised, including that of former principal Kenyetta Snapp, who pleaded guilty to bribery two months ago.

There has been debate over whether the state should help aid the struggling school system, with U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade commenting that Detroit Public School's financial insecurity has nothing to do with the current charges.

"Public corruption never comes at a good time," McQuade said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. "This case is not about DPS. It is not about emergency managers. It is about these 14 individuals who breached their trust."

The following are being charged for accepting bribes and kickbacks according to a report by the Detroit Free Press:

  • Beverly Campbell: former principal of Rosa Parks School and Greenfield Union Elementary-Middle School, accused of accepting $50,000 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Clara Smith: principal of Thirkell Elementary-Middle School, accused of accepting $194,000 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Clara Flowers: charged with tax evasion after receiving $324,785 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Germla Johnson: former principal of Earhart Elementary-Middle School, accused of accepting $22,884 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Ronnie Sims: former principal at Fleming Elementary and Brenda Scott Middle School, accused of accepting $58,519 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Norman Shy: charged with tax evasion for fraudulent invoicing $2.7 million and paying over $900,000 in bribes and kickbacks
  • Tanya Bowman: former principal at Osborn Collegiate Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology, accused of accepting $12,500 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Ronald Alexander: principal at Charles L. Spain Elementary-Middle School, accused of accepting $23,000 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • James Hearn: principal at Marcus Garvey Academy, accused of accepting $11,500 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Josette Buendia: principal of Bennett Elementary School, accused of accepting $45,775 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Nina Graves-Hicks: former principal at Davis Aerospace Technical High School, accused of accepting $27,385 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Stanley Johnson: principal at Hutchinson Elementary, accused of accepting $84,170 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
  • Tia'von Moore-Patton: principal at Jerry L. White Center High School, accused of accepting $4,000 in bribes through Shy.
  • Willye Pearsall: former principal at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, accused of accepting $50,000 in bribes and kickbacks through Shy.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

720
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

75
friends

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

444
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments