Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday revealed that subpoenas had been issued in reference to the federal investigation into a multi-million no-bid contract.
The subpoenas were directed at three CPS officials: general counsel James Bebley, chief-of-staff Sherry Ulery, and Rosemary Herpel, executive director of leadership development.
They demand a variety of documents, relating to contract, invoices, payments, funding, even gifts and lunch tabs, related to the SUPES Academy contract and other entities controlled by SUPES’ founders Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas. In addition, investigators asked for employment records and personnel files for Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Ulery, Herpel, and Tracy Martin, chief of strategic support.
Bebley was ordered to appear before a Federal Grand Jury on April 28th, Ulery and Herpel on the 21st. The Board’s Custodian of Records was told to provide a raft of documents on April 14th, including handwritten and typewritten notes, appointments and meetings, relating to the SUPES agreement.
Byrd-Bennett is a former employee of SUPES Academy, and investigators are looking into whether she received any kickbacks from a 2013, $20.5 million contract between CPS and the Wilmette-based firm.
