OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The multicounty grand jury investigating Epic Charter Schools has released a scathing interim report of its findings following the state’s audit report against the school.
According to the report, “Due to the lack of transparency in accounting for the funds, intentional avoidance of disclosure of information by a private entity, and lack of cooperation; the investigation is unable to be completed at this time.”
The concerns from the Audit Report and the subsequent investigation by the Multicounty Grand Jury can be summarized as:
- Lack of oversight
- Lack of transparency in operations
- Lack of accountability by for-profit company Epic Youth Services
By failing to provide appropriate oversight, the entities responsible have allowed significant public funds to be diverted into private accounts without transparency. The public has not been served by the incestuous relationship between the for-profit vendor, Epic Youth Services, and the governing board Community Strategies. The system has failed to provide accountability and allowed a company to take advantage and generate a substantial personal profit on the backs of Oklahoma students. This is especially offensive at a time when Oklahoma students and parents are struggling with the weight of the pandemic and its effects on our students’ education and wellbeing.
This interim report focuses on the for-profit vender, Epic Youth Services LLC (EYS).
“The incestuous relationship between the board and a private vendor has resulted in a lack of independent oversight,” the report states. “As designed, this system is ripe for fraud.”
From 2015 to 2020, Epic Charter Schools received more than $458 million in state and federal funds as a CONTINUE READING: ‘Ripe for fraud’: Multicounty Grand Jury releases interim report on Epic Charter Schools investigation | KFOR.com Oklahoma City