CHICAGO (AP) — A newspaper report says about six people who were donors or former colleagues to Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool are working for the district.
The Chicago Tribune also reports two companies with Claypool ties are eligible for $14 million in professional services work through 2018.
The report comes as the district has announced hundreds of central office employee layoffs.
Claypool tells the newspaper he doesn't have to apologize for hiring talented people and any donations are "irrelevant."
The former Chicago Transit Authority president hasn't run for office since a failed 2010 county assessor bid. The individuals didn't donate major amounts.
However, a campaign finance expert argues Claypool should've established an ethics policy to keep donors from getting CPS work, particularly as the former CEO awaits sentencing on corruption charges.