Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Pa. ethics panel says it didn't have evidence to prove violations by former charter school head - Philly.com

Pa. ethics panel says it didn't have evidence to prove violations by former charter school head - Philly.com

Pa. ethics panel says it didn't have evidence to prove violations by former charter school head

July 26, 2011|By Martha Woodall, Inquirer Staff Writer
  • Vuong Thuy. Charter school chief faced allegations.

The State Ethics Commission did not have the evidence to prove that the former head of the Multi-Cultural Academy Charter School in North Philadelphia violated state ethics laws, according to an investigative report that nevertheless describes Vuong Thuy's business dealings as "disturbing."

After a two-year investigation into allegations of conflicts of interest, the commission said it lacked "clear and convincing proof" that Thuy, Multi-Cultural's founder and former chief executive officer, broke the law when the charter school rented properties owned by him, his wife, Maria, and a nonprofit organization he cofounded.

Thuy and his wife received a "substantial" financial benefit from the lease arrangement, concluded the Ethics Commission's 42-page report, obtained by The Inquirer.

Recent controversy over Thuy's management has cast a cloud over the charter high school, which