Report: CPS spent $67,000 on cappuccino machines

An inspector's report shows Chicago Public Schools employees bent district rules to spend $67,000 for espresso machines that largely haven't been used.

The nation's third-largest district bought 30 cappuccino machines for a culinary arts program. But several months after the purchases, 22 hadn't been opened and one disappeared.

Three are in use, but not for the program.

That's according to the district's inspector general, Jim Sullivan. His report looks at July 2007 through June 2008.

The report reveals employees separated the purchases to stay under $10,000 so they wouldn't have to seek competitive bids or school board approval. Officials say the district then overpaid for the machines by more than $12,000

A CPS spokesman says one employee was fired and disciplinary action is pending against three more.