State officials have temporarily halted funding to the United Neighborhood Organization, contending the large charter school operator violated terms of a $98 million grant by hiring contractors who are related to one of the group's top executives.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity informed the politically connected organization of the decision in a memo Thursday, citing "an appearance of a conflict of interest." The move puts the brakes on about $14 million in funding — the state already has paid $84 million. ...More HERE
