Chicago inspector finds school employees 'stole' gift cards

CHICAGO (AP) - An inspector general has found several Chicago Public Schools employees "stole or misappropriated" thousands of dollars in gift cards set aside as incentives for students and families.

Inspector General Nicholas Schuler noted the finding in a 75-page report released Wednesday showing other alleged wrongdoing including an elementary school principal spending over $20,000 in school funds for personal shopping and families using false addresses to get children into competitive schools.

The report doesn't identify schools or employees by name. It covers investigations between July 2016 and last June.

In another case a principal used school money to pay for a "teachers' lunch club" with lobster and steaks.

Schuler says two employees resigned and two others were fired after investigations.

School officials say the district is addressing issues raised in the report.