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Sentencing date set for ex-Chicago schools superintendent

CHICAGO – A sentencing date has been set for former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett for her part in a scheme that steered contracts to two education-services companies in exchange for anticipated kickbacks.

U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang on Monday set Byrd-Bennett’s sentencing hearing for April 13.

Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty last October to fraud charges, admitting she steered no-bid contracts to SUPES Academy in exchange for the promise of up to $2.3 million in kickbacks.

The owner of SUPES and Synesi Associates, Gary Solomon, admitted in a plea agreement last week that he offered Byrd-Bennett bribes and kickbacks in exchange for her steering $23 million in contracts to his companies, for which Byrd-Bennett previously worked.

SUPES Co-owner Thomas Vranas pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.

Before working for CPS, Byrd-Bennett was a high-ranking Detroit schools official.

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