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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pa. lawmaker: Ackerman suspends five whistle-blowers | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/14/2010

Pa. lawmaker: Ackerman suspends five whistle-blowers | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/14/2010

Pa. lawmaker: Ackerman suspends five whistle-blowers

State Rep. Michael P. McGeehan on Monday accused Philadelphia School District Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman of suspending whistle-blowers who had made public details about controversial no-bid contracts.

McGeehan said he would request that the state Attorney General's Office investigate possible violations of the state's whistle-blower protections.

The Northeast Philadelphia Democrat said that five district employees, whom he declined to identify, were notified in writing Monday afternoon that they were being suspended with pay pending an investigation into the disclosure of sensitive school district documents.

On Monday evening, the school district issued a statement that an "outside expert" had been brought in to investigate business operations.

"Apparent inconsistencies in the distribution of prime contracts to vendors, as well as questionable practices in other areas of business and facilities operations, as reported by multiple firms hoping to do business with the School District, led to these new aggressive steps," the



Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20101214_Pa__lawmaker__Ackerman_suspends_five_whistle-blowers.html#ixzz18BXJxnys
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