The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is dealing, today, with news that six employees misappropriated $15 million of public funds. A three-year investigation by law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office resulted in charges including grand theft, embezzlement, forgery, and perjury. Jill Tucker has been covering the case for the San Francisco Chronicle. In her cover story this morning, she details how the money was spread between school services, outside non-profits, internal computer systems, salaries, and benefits. I reached Tucker by phone and asked her how $6.7 million were allegedly used on student programs that were not designated by grant funding.
SFUSD superintendent Richard Carranza issued a statement, yesterday, saying the district initiated the investigation in 2010 after discovering potential fraud. He noted officials have put several measures in place to prevent future misconduct.
Full disclosure: KALW’S license is held by SFUSD.
