Former charter school CEO pleads guilty to fraud scheme

    One of the two former New Media Technology Charter School accused in a fraud scheme has pleaded guilty.

    Former CEO Ina Walker, 59, entered her plea today and will be sentenced in April. She and co-founder Hugh Clark were charged last April of defrauding the Northwest Philadelphia school of more than $500,000, allegedly so Walker could pay expenses at another school Clark founded, advance Walker’s Black Olive food business and pay their personal expenses.

    The scheme resulted in New Media being unable to pay monthly employee withholdings and quarterly employer contributions to the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System, the state’s retirement plan for public school employees.

    According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Walker’s plea is for losses totaling $861,000. Clark awaits trial.

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