Chicago schools spend $70,000 on espresso machines
From Sunshine Review
7 January 2009
Chicago public schools manager was caught spending $70,000 on 30 espresso/cappuccino machines for the high school programs. However, five months later, 22 remained unopened, one disappeared and three were being used at two schools—though not in the culinary arts program for which they were intended, the district's inspector general said Tuesday.[1]
[edit] Sneaky spending
The manager also avoided have school board approval by making the purchases appear as if coming from 21 different schools and under $10,000. In addition to this it resulted in overpaying for the coffee machines by more than $12,000.[1]
[edit] Record number of reportings
Between 2007 and 2008 the inspector general's office had 1,012 complaints alleging misconduct, waste, fraud and financial mismanagement in the district. Of these, 940 cases were closed with many resulting in recommendations for termination and some for criminal prosecution.[1] The schools have ended up spending $712,000 allowing children from outside the district to illegally attend the schools as well.[1]
