Superintendent of Public Instruction

Millions in Classroom Funds Embezzled by State Education Administrators, Media Silent

August 10, 2003 | 0 Comments

By Michael Shaw, 8/10/2003 -

While Santa Cruz County Schools wrestle with severe budget cuts, few have heard about a huge scandal in the state Department of Education that involved $20 million in fraud, $11 million of embezzled tax funds, harassment of whistleblowers, and a court order for Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin to personally pay damages to the whistleblowers. This Stockton Record story by Steve Wampler exposes something that is potentially more troubling than having an education system that is mismanaged by corrupt administrators who absconded with millions in public funds for themselves and their friends: the media, particularly in Santa Cruz County, seems to have been an active participant in covering up for the Eastin administration. While the author calls his story "Shame o­n Eastin," it might be better called "Shame o­n us California voters" for failing to monitor fraudulent use of tax dollars meant for our children's classrooms.

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