An alarming report from the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) has exposed a scandal within the New York City Department of Education (DOE). Six DOE employees allegedly diverted funds intended for homeless students to pay for their own family vacations.
The employees used these funds to cover expenses for trips to places like Disney World, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. Linda Wilson, a region manager for the DOE, is at the heart of the scandal. According to the report, she used city resources to take her daughters on trips and even encouraged other staff to do the same.
Wilson allegedly forged permission slips to include her family on trips meant for students. A notable incident involved a supposed visit to Syracuse University, which was later found to be a diversion to Niagara Falls. Syracuse University confirmed that no official tour took place.
Wilson’s actions reportedly led to other employees being misled. She allegedly canceled a planned trip to Philadelphia upon realizing the investigation into her activities and instructed her colleagues to provide false statements, saying, “What happens here stays with us.”
In addition to Wilson, other implicated employees include Program Manager Shaquieta Boyd and Family Assistants Joanne Castro, Mishawn Jack, Virgen Ramos, and Community Coordinator Maria Sylvester. The SCI’s report, completed in January 2023, recommended the termination of these employees and the restitution of the funds. No criminal charges were filed due to a lack of documentation.
This misuse of funds represents a significant breach of public trust and highlights the need for greater oversight in handling taxpayer money.
