Former charter official in Philadelphia pleads guilty to stealing school funds

From The Philadelphia Inquirer: A former board president and founder of a Philadelphia charter school has admitted to stealing $522,000 in taxpayer funds to prop up a restaurant, a health-food store, and a private school he controlled. Hugh C. Clark, 65, pleaded guilty in federal court to taking funds from the New Media Technology Charter School. Ina M. Walker, New Media's former chief executive, pleaded guilty to the same charges in January.

Earlier... JANUARY 2012....from The Philadelphia Inquirer: The former chief executive officer of a charter school in Philadelphiahas pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500,000 in taxpayer funds intended for the school. Ina M. Walker, the onetime top official of New Media Technology Charter School, and Hugh C. Clark, a New Media founder and former board president, had been scheduled to go on trial April 2. As part of Walker's plea, she has agreed to testify against Clark. The two were charged with providing false documents to obtain a $357,500 loan, then defaulting on $339,000 of the debt. They also allegedly stole $522,000 intended for the New Media charter to pay expenses at Lotus Academy, a private school they controlled; and to pay for personal businesses and expenses.