Lawyers: Co-defendants in Chicago schools case in plea talks

CHICAGO (AP) - Attorneys say two co-defendants in an alleged scheme to steer no-bid contracts to an education firm in exchange for kickbacks to the former Chicago Public Schools chief are possibly negotiating a plea deal.

Gary Solomon, co-owner of SUPES Academy, and his business partner, Thomas Vranas, have pleaded not guilty to wire fraud, among other charges. Their attorneys revealed the plea talks during a hearing on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang.

Solomon and Vranas are accused of arranging to pay former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett in the scheme.

Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty in October to helping steer $23 million in no-bid contracts for as much $2.3 million in kickbacks and other perks while in Chicago. She was named chief of the nation's third-largest school district in 2012.