CPS History
CPS has provided a means of education for many students across the City of Chicago. Additionally, they have supportive teachers and mentors for students that are struggling mentally or physically. Fraud has been something that has been done by a lot of employees, as well as principals of certain schools.
However, what is unheard of, is a top official within CPS to have been committing fraudulent actions. Something like this happening would surely deteriorate the faith that many families had towards the school system. Unfortunately, there has been an incident that has been recently reported, involving a top Chicago Public Schools official.
What Exactly Occurred?
Recently, a case that has been opened involving a top CPS official and a suspicion of fraudulent claims on her COVID-19 relief loan. Crystal Cooper, who as head of school operations, inflated her income to increase the amount on a side business she had never reported to CPS. Additionally, Cooper reported directly to CEO Pedro Martinez.
Fraud being committed by a top CPS official is unheard of, and would certainly put CPS in jeopardy. Additionally, this would deter many families from relying on CPS to serve up to their mission. Therefore, she was receiving additional income on top of the income that she already made. This would help with the business that she had on the side, in which she would make even more income.
Therefore, as clearly stated, she was secretly receiving almost triple the income that CPS had originally thought. However, that is not all when it comes down to top officials being caught committing fraudulent actions.
Not 1 but 14 Officials Have Been Caught
This fraudulent action had taken place not only once, but a bakers dozen of other times with 13 other employees. These 13 employees were also top officials of CPS, and would earn a lot of income annually. “More than a dozen Chicago Public Schools employees and officials — some of whom were in leadership positions and earned six-figure salaries — fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans worth up to $21,000,” according to WTTW News.
Meaning, this has clearly been something that has been going on for a little while, as this gave time for other employees to try and commit these fraudulent actions. However, it was very short-lived, as since they have been caught, they may be facing criminal consequences.
Not Just CPS, but Cook County In General
Cook County, as a whole, has suffered with this exact fraudulent act being done. There have been many other employees that have been discovered to have been taking out loans of this nature, in an attempt to commit fraud and earn extra income.
However, each of these employees have been fired or have resigned themselves after they have been discovered. In recent months, the OIG has found dozens of city and Cook County employees have either resigned or been fired due to PPP fraud investigations.
Additionally, there has been a nationwide crackdown on fraud in PPP and other COVID-related programs. It is unfortunate that many are committing the same crime time and time again, displacing the trust that they received from the majority and CPS themselves.
Future of This Case
It is unclear exactly what is going to happen to the top officials that have been caught committing this fraud. However, it is safe to say that they have each resigned or have been fired as a result.
Additionally, they may never be employed by CPS or affiliates within the near future as per this incident. There is a hope that there are less and less people that are committing this crime, as the income that they receive is already a more than livable wage.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times: A top CPS official ousted in PPP fraud investigation: schools inspector general
WTTW News: 14 Chicago Public Schools Employees, Officials Connected to PPP Loan Fraud, Watchdog Report Finds
WGN 9 News: 14 CPS employees fired, resigned in PPP fraud investigation
Featured and Top Image by Kate Gardiner/ WBEZ Courtesy of WBEZ’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Focal Foto’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
