Another Chicago Public Schools bribery scandal figure pleads guilty

Remember this story the next time someone wants to raise your property taxes to fund schools and you are told "it's for the kids."

From the Chicago Tribune:

A second figure in the bribery scandal that brought down former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty to federal charges on Tuesday.

Thomas Vranas, a co-owner of the SUPES Academy education training firm at the center of the scandal, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. Vranas, who faces up to five years in prison, is cooperating with prosecutors.

Michael Monico, his attorney, declined to comment after the plea hearing in federal court.

Vranas and SUPES co-owner Gary Solomon are accused of promising to pay Byrd-Bennett hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for steering lucrative no-bid contracts to their company.