dallas county schools scandal

And as a result of an FBI and Internal Revenue Service investigation, those involved in the scheme are now serving prison sentences. Dwaine Caraways Final Act as Politician and Performer . Jackson joins U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former president Donald Trump, and the Texas GOP in condemning the impeachment. Its main purpose was student transportation. Onlookers began doing quick math when Lynn sentenced Caraway to 56 months. Dallas County Schools was shut down after Dallas county voters elected to pull the plug on the scandal-ridden agency in a special election authorized by the Texas legislature. Lets Make Dallas Even Better. But the bailout plan will cost Dallas County taxpayers at least an additional $14 million in interest payments over the next nine years. Lynn, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. Dallas County Schools To think that we put our trust in those people. As Ive said repeatedly over the past year and a half, the U.S. Attorneys Office will be relentless in its pursuit of anyone involved in bribing public officialsfrom bribe recipients to bribe facilitators to bribe payers. Caraway pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges and was sentenced this past April to a 56-month federal prison term. Bus Monitors: Your Next Driver Retention Strategy? By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Slater Swartwood Sr. Sentenced to Federal Prison for Money Sorrells, an admitted criminal, was convicted for wire fraud after admitting to the Department of Justice to taking more than $3 million in bribes. 5 things to know about Dallas Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, Judge Lynn said Duncans very serious health condition and public service influenced her decision to give him probation. Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) has also been a strong critic of the Harris County Department of Education and has filed a separate bill to bar HCDE from collecting property taxes. In exchange for the bribes, the DOJ said DCS purchased cameras worth millions of dollars, stacks of which remained boxed and unused in a Dallas warehouse, and entered into a $25 million asset purchase/licensing agreement, the sale-leaseback of DCS bus lots first reported on by NBC 5 Investigates. I am humbled by the witnesses that we heard today. I want to About Us. As a senator fighting to help free my constituents from this disgusting agency, I found that most elected officials were content to let this abuse continue. "This defendant pocketed a whopping $3.5 million in bribes, simultaneously crippling the agency he was tapped to lead and undermining the publics trust in city officials. NBCUniversal, Inc. A New Orleans lawyer has admitted to helping conceal $800,000 in bribes in the Dallas County Schools scandal making him the sixth person to Duncans campaign contributor, Mr. Leonard, along with former Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, after the DCS investigation revealed that Mr. Leonard had funneled over $3 million in bribes to Caraway and Dallas County Schools Superintendent Ricky Sorrells. Mr. Reynolds is currently awaiting sentencing and will soon join them. Lawyer enters guilty plea in Dallas, Texas school bus camera bribery scandal. Related:Ex-Dallas County Superintendent Receives 7-Year Prison Sentence in Bribery Case. Dallas County Schools will continue to receive $20 million in property taxes until all of its debts are paid off. ", Sorrels, his attorney, said the government would have prosecuted Duncan for honest services fraud if agents found evidence of it. ", Duncan's daughter, Sarah Duncan Jacobs, told Lynn that her father's support helped her become a lawyer. Thompson said Duncan helped the town get historical markers and much-needed infrastructure. Another cut-out, Slater Washburn Swartwood Sr, concealed an additional $2 million in bribes to Dallas County Schools Board President Larry Duncan, and Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway, who was the most vocal advocate of photo enforcement Caraway was sentenced to more than four years in prison. The suspect is also the president of the Prosper ISD school board. Bribe Payers, Recipients Sentenced to Federal Prison. A New Orleans lawyer has admitted to helping conceal $800,000 in bribes in the Dallas County Schools scandal making him the sixth person to plead guilty in federal court since NBC 5 Investigates first uncovered the corruption. A company called Force Multiplier Solutions profited from it all. Carl Ceder Attorney from Dallas, TX. This latest indictment continues the efforts of the FBI, along with our partners at the IRS and U.S. Attorneys Office, to protect and defend Dallas taxpayers from those who would exploit their position for personal gain.. NHTSA-Proposed Automatic Emergency Braking Has School Bus Safety Connection, Daimler Trucks Taking Balanced Zero-Emissions Approach for Thomas Built Buses, Diagnosing Engine, Vehicle Faults Before Reaching Emergency Status, Cummins Helps Districts Modernize Fleets with Government Funding, Student Transportation of America: Aligning with School District Goals & Values, Speeding Up Stop-Arm Violation Detection and Resolution. School 2023 FOX Television Stations, Timothy Simpkins found guilty of attempted capital murder for Timberview HS shooting. Ex-Dallas County Schools Superintendent To Be Sentenced For Fraud State Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas) authored SB 1122 with fellow Metroplex Sens. Duncan is a former Dallas City Council member. In all, Sorrells entered into $70 million in contractswith the company. DCS collapsed under fraud and mismanagement, something former employees have not forgotten. Lynn delayed the start of his sentence until Sept. 17. Mr. Duncan now faces up to a year in federal prison. Abbott signs law eliminating paper license plates in Texas, was sentenced to six months in home confinement and given three years of probation, Dallas County Schools was shut down after Dallas county voters elected to pull the plug. Box 1056, Selma, AL 36702, telephone (334) 875-3440. According to NBC5, the agencys board approved a plan allowing Sorrells to retire, placing Assistant Superintendent Leatha Mullins temporarily in charge at DCS. DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) - Former Dallas City Councilman and Dallas County Schools Board President Larry Duncan pleaded guilty to tax evasion for his involvement in the DCS bribery scandal. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The judge did say she was suspicious about the charges that were brought. In the meantime, theres an important lesson to be learned. This story started after I received my tax bill in the mail on a November morning in 2014. He resigned his seat on the Dallas City Council later that same day. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Former Dallas County Schools chairman sentenced in Erin Dooley, Public Affairs Officer School The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit conducted the investigation. WebDon Huffines is a proud fifth-generation Texan, husband, father, grandfather, and self-made businessman. Meet the 2023 Innovator of the Year winner, Bill Griffiths of Beacon Mobility, who shares insights on how teamwork Find the latest vehicle production data and budget reports, industry trends, and contact information for state, national and federal 2023 School Transportation News. / CBS Texas. Dallas The fact that the prosecutor sought - unsuccessfully - a sentencing enhancement against Duncan for a violation of the public trust is a hint that the government viewed him as being part of the larger corruption case, Wiley said. Taxpayers must always be prepared to be their own fiercest advocates. Kevin is a multiple recipient of the Stephen Philbin Award for excellence in legal reporting. Witness Intimidated' in Dallas Corruption Case, Defense Says School Former slaves from the nearby Miller Plantation settled Joppa beginning in the late 1860s, and some of their descendants remain there today. Dallas County Schools, on the other hand, never saw the $11 million in annual profit that Duncan had promised. Rick Sorrells agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud in April, in a case that contributed to the shutdown the Dallas County Schools bus agency. 7/25/2018. U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said during anOctober 2018 news conference that Duncan used the campaign donations for his personal gain, "essentially treating his campaign account like his own personal bank account. Also ensnared was Rick Sorrells, the former superintendent of Dallas County Schools; The scandal involved a mundane agency that few people had heard of -- or else they confused it with Dallas ISD. 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Employment - Dallas County Schools Caraway is currently serving a 4 1/2 year sentence at a federal prison in west Texas after his conviction for taking bribes from people involved in the Dallas County Schools scandal. Todd Watkins signed MCPS to participate in this no bid scheme and it is still in use today. Caraway was instrumental in making that ordinance happen. I take full responsibility for what I have done. Lynn also noted that the government never accused Duncan of public corruption, even though he had dealings with someone who was paying off other Dallas public officials. And well prosecute those who attempt to conceal bribe payments. Dwaine Caraway Pens Resignation Letter: I Betrayed the Public's Judge Barbara Lynn was firm with Sorrells during his sentencing, saying he was "the most culpable of defendants" in the DCS case, that his conduct was the worst and that she could not forgive him for what he'd done and for what he'd cost taxpayers and the former employees of Dallas County Schools. With the financial mess left behind, Huffines admits it's not clear how handing off bus service to school districts will work out. This time it's Larry Senator Huffines says he is confident there will be criminal indictments. We deserve better from those in office and we should demand it. The district does not, itself, run any schools or directly perform education services. MSN He tearfully spoke during his sentence, saying he'd made a mistake, lost his way and begged the court for mercy and forgiveness. Dallas city corruption trial begins for local developer accused BREAKING: Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway Pleads Guilty Duncan resigned when the agency's financial and ethical troubles mounted, as detailed in ongoing stories by NBC5 Investigates. Another defendant, Slater Swartwood, who operated the shell companies used to conceal the bribes, admitted in December 2017 to conspiring to launder money. Dallas County voters decided "against" Dallas County Schools Tuesday, voting to shut down the 171-year-old agency with 58 percent of the vote.
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