NYC education employees are accused of misusing federal funds to finance personal Disney World trips.
At a Glance
- Six Department of Education (DOE) employees used forged permission slips for personal trips.
- Destinations included Disney World and other resorts, funded by a $300,000 federal grant.
- Key figure Linda M. Wilson allegedly masterminded the scheme.
- The Special Commissioner decided against criminal prosecution due to insufficient documentation.
Misuse of Federal Funds for Personal Vacations
Six individuals working for the New York City education system are accused of misappropriating federal funds allocated for homeless student programs to cover their personal vacations. These trips, organized and allegedly encouraged by Linda M. Wilson, included visits to Disney World and other lavish destinations. Wilson, a supervisor in the “Students in Temporary Housing” program, reportedly instructed her colleagues to forge permissions for these trips.
The allegations are based on findings by the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) and claims from education advocate Leonie Haimson. Haimson has brought to light falsified documents and photographs as evidence. Despite the available evidence, the SCI chose not to refer the case for criminal prosecution, citing insufficient documentation. Calls are growing for federal authorities to take over the investigation.
6 N.Y.C Department of Education Employees Used Funds Meant For Homeless Children To Take Own Families On Trips https://t.co/I1yrbmQPm8 #OAN pic.twitter.com/zK63hBtBQo
— One America News (@OANN) September 15, 2024
Breakdown of the Scandal
The employees are accused of using the names of homeless students to fabricate permission slips, allowing them to take their own children and grandchildren on these trips. The destinations included Disney World, Washington, DC, New Orleans, and more. These trips, meant for homeless students, were financed by a $300,000 federal grant from the National Center for Homeless Education between 2016 and 2019.
Wilson was not only the key planner but also encouraged her colleagues to include their family members. She allegedly told her co-workers, “What happens here stays with us,” indicating a desire to keep these actions secret. Further investigation revealed that family members are prohibited from joining Department of Education field trips, regardless of whether expenses are reimbursed.
Impact on Homeless Students
The fraudulent activities did more than misuse funds; they deprived homeless students of opportunities, as spaces intended for them were taken up by the children of the accused employees. According to the SCI report, Wilson and her colleagues attempted to conceal their actions when questioned, using an outside agency to book travel to avoid oversight. Some trips were initially supposed to be college tours, but no campuses were visited.
“Few of the homeless students listed on the trip paperwork actually attended the trips,” the report stated. Despite this, in at least one instance involving a Disney World trip, some homeless students did participate. However, there were instances where permission had to be begged to include actual homeless students in these trips.
Call for Federal Investigation
The SCI recommended terminating all six employees involved and seeking reimbursement for expenses incurred by the DOE. The Department of Education (DOE) has confirmed that none of the involved staff are currently employed. Despite the recommendations, the SCI did not refer the case for criminal prosecution, attributing this decision to a lack of sufficient documentation. This decision has stirred calls for a federal investigation.
“This appears to be a criminal use of federal funds for homeless students, involving forgery and fraud,” said Leonie Haimson, executive director of Class Size Matters. Haimson has urged the US Department of Education’s inspector general to initiate a probe, demanding accountability for Wilson and her colleagues.
The scandal highlights significant lapses in oversight and poses critical questions about the management of funds intended for vulnerable student populations. As New York City grapples with a high number of homeless students, the misuse of these funds is particularly troubling, emphasizing the need for stricter accountability and oversight in the administration of federal grants.
