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Chicago Sun-Times

National

Jon Seidel

Ex-school clerk admits scamming CPS out of money for Disney cruise in midst of Byrd-Bennett scandal

Byrd CPS Disney Elementary School

Ashley Beard, a former business clerk at Caldwell Math and Science Academy, pleaded guilty to wire fraud Thursday. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A former business clerk at Caldwell Math and Science Academy admitted Thursday that she scammed Chicago Public Schools out of thousands of dollars to help pay for a Disney cruise — all while the district was reeling from a kickback scandal involving its ex-CEO.

Ashley Beard, 33, of Hammond, Indiana, pleaded guilty to one wire fraud count before U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Beard was first charged earlier this year as part of a larger fraud investigation involving former Brennemann Elementary School Principal Sarah Jackson Abedelal.

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