CHICAGO (AP) — The former head of the nation’s 3rd largest school district has pleaded guilty to charges in an alleged scheme to steer $23 million in no-bid contracts to education firms for $2.3 million in bribes and kickbacks.
Barbara Byrd-Bennett entered her guilty plea Tuesday in federal court.
Her attorney said just hours after the former Chicago Public Schools CEO was indicted on Oct. 8 that she would plead guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors. She was never arrested.
The 66-year-old faced 20 fraud counts, each with a maximum 20-year prison term. But under the plea agreement, she pleaded guilty to one fraud count. All others will be dismissed.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel hired Byrd-Bennett as CEO in 2012. She resigned earlier this year.
Two education company executives were also indicted.