Rep. Brennan Calls for Greater Charter School Accountability Following $8 Million Fraud Allegations

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) today called for increased accountability and oversight of Ohio’s charter schools following federal allegations that the former superintendent and a business associate of a Cincinnati charter school participated in an $8 million fraud scheme involving taxpayer-funded education dollars.

According to federal prosecutors, the former operator of Dohn Community High School allegedly authorized more than $8 million in payments to entities controlled by a business partner, with more than $4 million allegedly flowing back to entities controlled by the former operator. The indictment alleges the scheme involved fraudulent invoices, inflated charges and services that were never provided.

“These allegations are deeply disturbing because these were taxpayer dollars that were supposed to educate Ohio’s children,” said Rep. Brennan, Ranking Member of the Ohio House Education Committee. “When education dollars are stolen or diverted for personal enrichment, Ohio taxpayers and, most importantly, Ohio students are the victims.”

Rep. Brennan said the allegations also highlight a broader concern about the lack of transparency and oversight surrounding some charter schools and the need to ensure that public dollars receive the same level of scrutiny regardless of what type of school receives them.

“Let me be clear: I am not suggesting that every charter school is engaged in wrongdoing. But when we have examples of millions of dollars in public money allegedly being diverted through a charter school, we have to ask whether our existing safeguards are strong enough,” Rep. Brennan added. “Real waste, fraud and abuse is able to occur where there isn’t sufficient accountability and oversight. Public schools operate under extensive financial, public-records, auditing and governmental oversight requirements. Charter schools that receive taxpayer dollars should not be able to operate in the shadows or face a lower standard of accountability.”

Rep. Brennan said he will continue advocating for stronger oversight of charter schools, including greater financial transparency, meaningful auditing requirements and safeguards against conflicts of interest and self-dealing.

“If a school receives public money, the public deserves to know how that money is being spent,” Rep. Brennan concluded. “As Ranking Member of the House Education Committee, I will continue pushing for reforms that protect students, teachers and taxpayers and ensure that every education provider receiving public funds is held to a high standard of accountability.”