1/17/2024 0 Comments Epic charter school logo![]() ![]() The OSBI criminal investigation unraveled the intricate scheme layer by layer, in spite of a lack of cooperation, legal obstacles and delay tactics.”īoth state and federal officials have been investigating the school for allegedly embezzling millions in state funds by illegally inflating student enrollment counts. “Harris, Chaney and Brock came up with a ‘get rich quick scheme’ that lined their pockets with tax dollars that were to be spent for the benefit of Oklahoma students. “This has been a very complex and arduous investigation with many roadblocks causing delays in getting to the truth,” OSBI Director Ricky Adams said in a statement. The arrests follow a yearslong OSBI investigation that begin in 2013 at the request of then-Gov. Harris and Chaney have previously denied any wrongdoing. This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.Jail and court records don’t indicate the name of an attorney who could speak on their behalf. The entire board meeting can be viewed here.Ĭorrection: In a previous version of this story, the name of Epic spokeswoman Chelsi LeBarre was spelled incorrectly. 17, Vice Chair Kathren Stehno raises questions about Epic's layoffs, drawing a response from board Chair Paul Campbell. In this video clip from the Epic Charter School board meeting on Nov. Preliminary results from the internal investigation have not shown any evidence of the allegations made by (Stehno).” "Epic is conducting an internal investigation, recusing any members accused. “Epic takes any allegation received about personnel seriously," Epic spokesperson Chelsi LeBarre wrote Saturday in response to an Oklahoma Watch inquiry. ![]() Oklahoma's Statewide Virtual Charter School Board also has begun an inquiry into Stehno's allegations, Robert Franklin, the board's chairman, told the Tulsa World. Linda Ladd was hired to be the board’s internal auditor in 2020. Īdditionally, Stehno’s letter claims that when the board’s internal auditor raised concerns about large, unapproved staff bonuses paid for with public funds, her position was threatened and she resigned. “They have been yelled at, berated, subject to profane comments and implied threats to their employment,” according to the letter. Several women, who are current and former employees, reported being harassed by board Chairman Paul Campbell, Stehno wrote. In a three-page letter announcing her resignation as the Epic board's vice chair, Kathren Stehno detailed her concerns, which include harassment and intimidation of female employees creating “an often-hostile work environment.” She also cited what she called alarming data about students withdrawn for truancy and violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act. ![]() "As a part of the investigation, the State Department will request your cooperation and will be requesting records that may provide evidence to substantiate or refute the allegations against the District." (See full letter below) Clark, general counsel for the Department of Education, Tuesday in a letter sent to Epic Superintendent Bart Banfield. "The State Department will be investigating these allegations and will seek to complete its review within the next (30) business days," wrote Brad S. The state Department of Education is investigating "allegations of fraud, suppression of fraud, intimidation and harassment in the workplace" made against Epic Charter School's board chairman by its former vice chair. State Opens Investigation of Epic Charter Schools Over New AllegationsĭecemState Opens Investigation of Epic Charter Schools Over New Allegationsīy Oklahoma Watch, Oklahoma Watch December 7, 2021 State Opens Investigation of Epic Charter Schools Over New Allegations - Oklahoma Watch Close ![]()
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