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GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 717 14TH STREET N.W., 5TH FL. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 (202) 727-2540 December 29, 1998 The Honorable Linda W. Cropp Dear Chairman Cropp: The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has completed its investigation of the allegations of improper procurements within the District of Columbia Public School System. Our report concluded that the Principle directed the Assistant Principle of Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School to enter into vending dispensing machine contracts without authority, accepting an "up front" donation to the school of $13,000.00 as well as monthly profit sharing commission checks, as part of the contract agreement. Also, the Principle failed to report the receipt of the donation to the school of $13,000.00 as required by Subsections 501.14 and 501.15, Chapter 5 of DCMR 5. Further, the Principle failed to provide copies of the contracts to DCPS when directed to do so by the DCPS Contract Officer. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact me or John L. Gudavich, Associate Inspector General for Procurement Fraud Investigations, at (202) 727-8490. Sincerely yours, E. Barrett Prettyman, Jr. Enclosure GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Executive SummaryConcerning the Results of Office of the Inspector General Investigation 98-0385On July 28, 1998, information was received by the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding possible criminal misconduct and administrative violations allegedly committed by an assistant principal of one of the District of Columbia Public Schools' (DCPS) senior high schools. It was alleged that this person had entered into an unauthorized written contractual agreement, at the direction of the principal of the school, with a beverage bottling company. This beverage company contracted to supply beverage vending machine services to the high school. It was determined that the assistant principal, at the direction of the Principal, engaged in improper procurement practices by entering into an unauthorized beverage vending equipment services contract to provide the school with vending machines dispensing beverages for consumption by students and faculty. It was further determined that, as enticement to enter into the unauthorized contract over other competitors in the beverage industry, an official of the beverage company made a $13,000.00 "up-front" payment as part of the agreement. This advance payment was made with the understanding that the officials of the school would honor the contract agreement to allow only this company's products to be sold in the school. The school also received monthly commission checks based on vending machine sales. Without an audit, the GIG cannot determine whether all funds were entered and accounted for in the school's Student Activity Fund account. Based on the findings in this investigation, the Inspector General has concluded that the Principal was inexcusably negligent in the performance of his official duties, in that he directed a subordinate employee to enter into an unauthorized contract with a vendor and failed to report the receipt of a donation of $13,000.00 in accordance with Section 501. 15, Chapter 5, DCMR 5, Board of Education, a violation of D.C. Code 1-617. 1 (d) (4), Inexcusable Neglect of Duty. It was further concluded that the Principal was insubordinate in that he failed to follow a written directive to turn in all copies of contracts to the Contract Officer, OCP, a violation of D.C. Code 1617.1 (d)(5), Insubordination. The Inspector General also concluded that the Assistant Principal was inexcusably negligent in the performance of his official duties, in that he entered into an unauthorized contract in violation of D.C. Code 1617.1 (d)(4), Inexcusable Neglect of Duty. As a result of the findings in this investigation, the Inspector General has recommended that appropriate administrative action be taken against the Principal and Assistant Principal, and that various other administrative steps be taken within the DCPS system. |
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