School Exec Charged With $376K Theft

After a year-long investigation, Cook County Regional Office of Education superintendent Charles Flowers has been accused of stealing nearly a half-million dollars of taxpayer money (ABC Chicago). He turned himself in to police and will face corruption charges (theft and official misconduct) for his alleged white collar crime.

Prosecutors say 51-year-old Flowers began ripping off the already broke and bankrupt school district soon after he won election as the regional superintendent in 2007. Some of the money allegedly went to his sister and girlfriend, who was put on the district payroll.

The $376,000 in allegedly stolen funds includes cash advances on taypayer-funded credit cards; charges for expensive restaurants, car rentals and limos; and the use of public funds for weekend trips to Mississippi, according to State's Attorney Anita Alvarez (quoted by ABC):

"You think you see it all, then something like this comes along and it shocks you," Alvarez said.

Illinois criminal defense attorney Tim Grace, who is representing Flowers, argues that his client personally paid back any of the taxpayer money he used for personal expenses (Tribune):

"Dr. Flowers possibly made some bad decisions, but they are minor issues."

Flowers also has been accused of paying two employees more than $21,000 in consulting fees for services that were never performed. The agency, meanwhile, is $1 million in debt.