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Schools

Ex-BHUSD Chief Faces Additional Corruption Charge

The Los Angeles Superior Court has levied another felony misappropriation of public funds count against Jeffrey Hubbard.

Former Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard pleaded not guilty Tuesday to an additional misappropriation of public funds felony charge. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court Nov. 10. 

Hubbard, 54, allegedly authorized a pay increase for former BHUSD employee Nora Roque in May 2005 without the school board’s approval, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was indicted for the offense Oct. 7 by the Los Angeles Superior Court. 

Now superintendent of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Hubbard again works with Roque, who is the district’s director of classified personnel.

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Hubbard pleaded not guilty in January to two other felony misappropriation of public funds charges stemming from the alleged unauthorized approval of a raise and car allowance for former BHUSD facilities director . 

The Orange County Register early this year published  between Hubbard and Christiansen that suggested an intimate relationship.

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“I am pleased that the district attorney has decided to file additional charges against Hubbard,” BHUSD Board of Education Vice President Brian Goldberg told Patch. “It is my hope that both the Hubbard and Christensen trials will deter those who may try to take advantage of and abuse the public trust, and will serve as a wake-up call to other districts to be more vigilant in their oversight of those they employ.” 

Christiansen’s trial is also scheduled to start in early November. She is charged with four felony counts of conflict of interest.

According to prosecutors, Christiansen urged the district to borrow money through the $334 million bond fund while steering the management contract to her own company, Strategic Concepts, which ultimately was awarded the job. She was reportedly paid a total of $5.2 million by BHUSD for consultant services between 2006 and 2009.

Christiansen also allegedly negotiated contracts with the Johnson Controls energy firm on behalf of the district while simultaneously negotiating agreements between Johnson and her own company.

She filed a $16 million claim against BHUSD in 2009 after it severed its relationship with Strategic Concepts. The BHUSD countersued for $4 million and attorney fees. Both suits have been stayed—legally put on hold—pending the outcome of the criminal trial.

This report was compiled with information from Newport Beach Patch and City News Service.

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