NYC DOE Workers Used Funds for Homeless Kids to Take Personal Trips

Six employees allegedly diverted $300,000 in federal grants meant for homeless students to finance trips for their own families.

The Special Commissioner of Investigation reported that from 2016 to 2019, six NYC Department of Education employees took personal trips using funds intended for homeless students.
Trips included destinations like Disney World, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, and Boston, with some supposed to be educational college tours.
Linda M. Wilson, a supervisor, allegedly forged permission slips and encouraged colleagues to bring their children, then tried to cover up the scheme.
The whistleblower's complaint in March 2019 initiated the investigation, which concluded in January 2023 but was only made public on September 9, 2024.
All implicated employees are no longer with the NYC DOE, and restitution has been recommended, though some have evaded full accountability.