Sex scandal could threaten Rhee’s school reforms
By: Leah Fabel
Examiner Staff Writer
November 20, 2009
 |
| FILE PHOTO: D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee testifies before the city council (Andrew Harnik/Examiner) |
D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, already embroiled in a battle with school unions and the D.C. Council over a round of teacher firings, is downplaying allegations that she helped cover up charges of sexual misconduct against her now-fiance Kevin Johnson, mayor of Sacramento, Calif.
A congressional Joint Staff Report by two ranking Republicans that details Rhee’s involvement was first reported by The Washington Examiner Friday morning.
Rhee, speaking through a spokeswoman, said that the report “rehashes old allegations that have long since been dismissed and deemed meritless by local and federal law enforcement officials, including the Sacramento Police Department and the U.S. Attorney.”
The report examined whether White House’s June firing of Gerald Walpin, U.S. inspector general for the Corporation for National and Community Service. In August 2008, Walpin called for “criminal and civil prosecution” of Johnson and his partner at a Sacramento community organization, St. HOPE Academy. Johnson, a friend and supporter of President Obama, was suspected of misusing Americorps dollars - and volunteers. Walpin was fired in the spring of 2009, prompting the congressional inquiry into whether his dismissal was politically motivated.
No charges have been filed related to allegations against Johnson and his colleagues.
St. HOPE employee Jacqueline Wong-Hernandez told IG office investigators that Rhee, who also worked for St. HOPE at the time, was told that Johnson had made sexual advances toward an employee. Rhee said she was “making this her number one priority, and she would take care of the situation,” Wong-Hernandez said. Soon afterward, Wong-Hernandez said that Johnson’s lawyer had contacted the victim and that all was smoothed out. Wong-Hernandez retired over the school’s handling of the incident, according to the report.
The congressional report quotes the girl as saying the attorney "basically asked me to keep quiet," and that Johnson offered her $1,000 a month for the duration of her time with St. Hope. Once investigators learned about that, the report says, they had "reasonable suspicions about potential hush money payments and witness tampering at a federally funded entity."
The news comes just as anger and protest over Rhee’s October firing of about 220 teachers was beginning to settle down.
Jeff Smith, director of school advocacy group D.C. Voice, said “I think her detractors may use it as another part of their case for why she’s unfair, but I don’t see it as having relevance on her philosophy or approach or management of the school system.”
Washington Teachers Union President George Parker’s spokeswoman did not return calls and e-mails requesting comment.
