The owner of a pair of education-services companies has pleaded guilty to offering bribes and kickbacks to the former head of Chicago Public Schools. Federal prosecutors say Gary Solomon entered into a plea agreement admitting he offered ex-CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett bribes and kickbacks in exchange for her steering $23 million in contracts to his companies.
Prosecutors say the 48-year-old from Wilmette also provided Byrd-Bennett with other perks, like meals and sports tickets.
Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Solomon also pleaded guilty to the same charge. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced March 24.
Prosecutors say Solomon's companies, SUPES Academy and Synesi Associates, also pleaded guilty to wire fraud as corporate defendants, and face millions in fines.
