A report from the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, states that the FBI and the U.S. Department of Education are investigating possible misconduct in the site acquisition process for sites for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). This is likely a repercussion of the controversy surrounding the failed purchase of property at Wheatlands.
The FBI was unable to either confirm or deny the existence of an ongoing investigation, according to Katherine Schweith, Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
However, Schweith also indicated that it is appropriate for the FBI to make an initial assessment when a report of illegal activity is made. It is only after this initial assessment that an investigation is initiated, or the case referred to another government agency. The Center for Public Integrity reports that citizens being interviewed in regard to the Wheatlands purchase could well have been an initial assessment.
Loudoun County Public Schools spokesman Wayde Byard has verified that no member of the school’s senior administrative staff has been contacted or interviewed in regard to any investigation of the failed Wheatlands purchase.
Likewise, Robert Dupree, Dulles representative and chairman of the School Board told the Independent that no representative from any investigative agency has contacted him, nor was he aware of them speaking with anyone else involved with the Wheatlands project. Dupree also indicated that he welcomed any questions from the public about how the process was implemented.
John Stevens, Potomac representative to the School Board, also told the Independent that he is unaware of any investigation and has not been contacted by any agency.
The prospect of a pending FBI Investigation is not unfamiliar to elected officials in Loudoun. The Washington Post ran several stories in 2007 related to the prospect of an FBI investigation into the prior Board of Supervisors’ relationship with area developers. While verification of individual interviews did occur, there was never a confirmation of a formal investigation into the activities of the Board of Supervisors, and no indictments have ever been made.
There is a strong similarity between rumors of an investigation into the activities of the pro-growth 2003-2007 Board of Supervisors and the current rumors being circulated about the Loudoun County School Board and Loudoun County Public Schools, after they attempted to build a sizeable facility in a largely rural area.
Questions remain regarding what activity related to the proposed Cangiano land purchase qualifies as illegal. While the proposed purchase was unpopular with local residents because of concerns regarding sales prices, historical preservation, overdevelopment and water availability, accusations regarding illegality have remained largely theoretical–and made solely by those opposed to the Wheatlands site on other grounds.
Great article John!
IMO, the desired response sought by the repeating FBI ploy is as follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5IWHt4OoNk
The reason I like your article? Because it reports, as was reported the last time, that reporters are again reporting that reported corruption is reportedly under reported investigation (again---see above link), which reminds me of the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn8Pua5rhj4&feature=PlayList&p=EF51DC983C...
Interviewer's Island meets Frau Blucher! (EEEEEEEE!!!!!!)