New York, NY

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

District stalls additional record production up till October 2012

During an investigation just completed by Kessler International and Investigative News Group, Inc. it was found that the Mount Sinai Union Free School District not only continued to conduct business with a former teacher after it was pointed out the teacher overbilled the District over $8,000, but it was determined that the Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Bonasera signed a general release in the name of the District releasing the teacher and others from any liability after the funds were returned. Amazingly, the District has also claimed that no correspondence of any sort exists discussing or authorizing this release.

The inquiry also disclosed questionable expenses being charged to student funds and the use of student funds to purchase equipment for the district.

Additionally, it was determined that the District spent over $158,000 in the past 3 school years to pay teachers and vendors to provide cheerleading coaching.

These findings bring into question the district's practices regarding their financial stewardship of student funds and budget line item expenses,

During the course of the inquiry, multiple allegations were received from Mount Sinai School District staff and residents regarding possible criminal and unethical conduct being perpetrated by district personnel, union officials and former board members.

When additional records to either clear or verify these allegations were requested of the District under the Freedom of Information Law, the Superintendent indicated that these documents would be made available not "any later than October 2012" thus stalling our ability to ferret out the truth and jeopardizing the statute of limitations if a crime took place.

The full report of findings can be located at http://www.investigation.com/MountSinai.

For more than a quarter of a century, Kessler International has been a world leader in international corporate investigations, forensic accounting and computer forensics working with school districts in uncovering and documenting suspicious financial transactions. Kessler's diverse staff includes former prosecutors; former law enforcement agents; attorneys; certified forensic accounts (Cr.FA's); certified fraud examiners (CFE's); certified forensic computer examiners (CFCE's); certified public accountants (CPA's); certified internal controls auditors (CICA's); professional licensed investigators; and researchers. For additional information about Kessler International, visit the company's website at www.investigation.com or call 800-932-2221.

Investigative News Group provides investigative reporting resources for all avenues of media including secure quality fact-checking, background investigations and news story writing from experienced investigators and reporters. For additional information about Investigative News Group, Inc, visit the company's website at www.investigativenewsgroup.com or call 631-473-4858.

Susan M. Peterson

Vice President/COO

Kessler International

New York, NY

212-286-9100

212-730-2433