PONTIAC, Mich. – An Inkster school administrator has been accused of going on a “shopping spree” at district expense while working as an assistant superintendent for Pontiac Schools, according to WXYZ-TV. The station reports Inkster Superintendent Mischa Bashir racked up $300,000 worth of charges on a district-issued credit card while serving as an assistant superintendent in Pontiac, spending thousands of dollars at stores like Honey Baked Hams and Happy’s Pizza, all while the district’s deficit was growing by millions of dollars.
The expenses include almost $53,000 at the Pontiac-Detroit Marriot a few miles from the school, including a $12,341 bill charged days before Christmas. Bashir told The Oakland Press the expenses were for training and were covered by federal funds.
The FBI told The Press no charges have been filed against Bashir and no warrants have been issued. Charges have been filed against Jumanne Sledge, an assistant who worked under Bashir at Pontiac and moved with her to Inkster. Sledge is accused of embezzling $236,000 from Pontiac schools.
SOURCES: WXYZ-TV, “Administrator accused of going on $300,000 spending spree on school district's dime,” May 2, 2012
The Oakland Press, “Former Pontiac schools assistant superintendent denies TV report she mishandled funds,” May 4, 2012
FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “DPS Building Scandal Highlights Need For Transparency,” Sept. 24, 2009
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