School officials bribed by free lunches - Chicago

A report from the Chicago Public School's Inspector General has found widespread and systemic fraud in the city's school lunch program. School administrators have also been accused of failing to comply with earlier recommendations.

CHICAGO, IL (Catholic Online) - The Inspector General found that district employees including principals and assistants had engaged in "widespread, systematic fraud." The report accuses the Chicago Public Schools employees of "significant ethical lapses" and giving "inducements in exchange for preferential treatment."

Specifically, among other abuses, executives responsible for oversight accepted thousands of dollars worth of gifts from two of the school's largest vendors.

In essence, vendors are bribing school officials for contracts to feed the kids.

The Inspector General has acknowledged that the vendors cannot be replaced with cheaper providers, however the recommendation is to compel them to pay for an independent auditor to ensure that no inappropriate gifts are being exchanged.

So the vendors will remain. There is no word yet if the school administrators, some who are said to be among the highest ranking, will be disciplined.

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