News

Barbara Byrd-Bennett's Detroit tenure also under scrutiny

Posted October 14, 2015 11:00 pm

Chicago Sun-Times

Contracts awarded in Detroit by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the former Chicago Public Schools CEO who pleaded guilty in a kickback scheme, are now under investigation. the Detroit Public School system confirmed Thursday.

Before she came to CPS, Byrd-Bennett was an $18,000-a month chief academic and accountability auditor in Detroit under emergency manager Robert Bobb. During her tenure, DPS awarded some $3.4 million in contracts to Synesi Associates, one of the north suburban companies now under indictment along with co-owners Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas.

DPS also awarded more work to PROACT Search, another of Solomon's and Vranas' education service companies, to fill five top positions once Byrd-Bennett left that district and became a coach for Synesi and SUPES, the Sun-Times reported in September.

Click here for the full story.

Article Comments

Article Categories
News

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.