Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap | Diane Ravitch's blog

Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap | Diane Ravitch's blog

Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap



Ben Chavis was leader of the American Indian Model Schools, a group of three small charter schools in Oakland that captured headlines and the hearts of conservatives. He stepped down after being charged with multiple federal felony charges involving federal money used to lease space from buildings Chavis owned and a state audit claiming that $3.8 million of the schools’ funding had been transferred to his and his wife’s business accounts.
After a six-year investigation, all charges have been dropped, and Chavis will pay a fine of $100. 
“A former Oakland charter school director known for boosting student test scores through humiliation and harsh discipline has avoided jail time following a six-year federal investigation into allegations of fraud.
“Ben Chavis, who ran the American Indian Model Schools, will spend one year on probation and pay a $100 fine in a plea deal with federal investigators, according to court documents.
“Chavis had faced the prospect of decades in prison in connection with six felony charges of mail fraud and money laundering filed in 2017 following an IRS and FBI investigation into his financial dealings related to the schools.
“Those charges were dropped and Chavis pleaded guilty to one count of submitting false information on federal documents….
”He was known for his frequent belittling and humiliation CONTINUE READING: Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap | Diane Ravitch's blog

Big Education Ape: THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: A trip down memory lane with Oakland’s “American Indian” charter schools & Ben Chavis - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-perimeter-primate-trip-down-memory.html

Big Education Ape: Trustees try to save Oakland's embattled American Indian Model Schools from losing charter - Inside Bay Area - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2013/02/trustees-try-to-save-oaklands-embattled.html

Big Education Ape: Will Ben Chavis be subjected to unorthodox and harsh methods of discipline like his students at the Gulag, ‘The Ameriican Indian Charter School’? | Dailycensored.com - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2012/06/will-ben-chavis-be-subjected-to.html

Big Education Ape: THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: The Ben Chavis / American Indian Public Charter School saga continues - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2012/04/perimeter-primate-ben-chavis-american.html

Big Education Ape: Jersey Jazzman: Bye-Bye Ben Chavis - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2013/03/jersey-jazzman-bye-bye-ben-chavis.html

Big Education Ape: Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Maniac Ben Chavis Update - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2012/12/jersey-jazzman-reformy-maniac-ben.html