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OPS President accused of improper votes/conflicts of interest

By   /   August 2, 2012  /   14 Comments

When it rains it pours.

Freddie Gray

Just ask Omaha School Board President Freddie Gray.

Nebraska Watchdog has learned that Gray is being accused of playing fast and loose with over $65,000 in school district funds; casting votes where she had clear-cut conflicts of interest involving her husband City Councilman Ben Gray.

According to a six page complaint heading to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission—the state’s ethics board—the Douglas County Republican Party claims that between 2008 and 2010 Gray voted nearly 40 times to approve school expenses going to several non-profit organizations her husband was actively involved in.

The complaint along with 30 pages of supporting documentation notes that Freddie Gray okayed payments ranging from $2-$5,500 to Girls Inc., Impact One and the United Way of the Midlands, three groups where Ben Gray was serving on the board of directors.

She is also accused of voting to reimburse herself $250.

Mrs. Gray has not been available for comment.

Nebraska Watchdog is told that the formal complaint was mailed to the NADC today, will be sent to OPS Board members this afternoon and read at Monday’s OPS board meeting.

It’s probably no coincidence that that is the same meeting where the school board is expected to decide Freddie Gray’s future as board president.

Mrs. Gray is under fire for her handling (see Nebraska Watchdog’s exclusive report) of the Nancy Sebring saga. Gray is accused of intentionally withholding information from fellow board members about the sexy emails that led to the resignation of superintendent-to-be Sebring.

Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org

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Joe Jordan

  • Patrick

    Looks like she’s grown a sizeable ego.

  • Beverly Hazuka

    It’s time to go, Ms. Gray.

  • Sheila

    Where was all this scrutiny back in 2008 and 2010? It smells of the kind of politics that caters to strident partisanship that gets us nothing, but people digging in their heels to follow party line. Based upon this? I’m betting she stays in office as president. She should be removed, however, for her lack of sound judgment and the law firm’s contract cancelled.

  • Bam

    Why am I not surprised? Didn’t Ben have all kinds of gambling debts revealed when he got in? Wouldn’t be hard to suspect he’s still having to pay off some people via funds laundered with his wife’s connections.

  • SoWhat???

    And someone is surprised that both the Grays are working the system to line their own pockets at taxpayer expense??? I wonder what’s flowing from the OHA into Ben’s pockets too?

  • Jason 3

    Seems to be that there’s a problem here…hate to have them acting like Republicans but…they both should be out…this stinks…no matter what side of the aisle you set on….

  • Kevin

    Another reason she needs to go. Any issue that poses a conflict of interest, she has the duty to recuse herself in any vote.

  • D. Mark

    Remember to stop these people, we all must go to the polls and vote! The full board will do nothing!!!!

  • murtha

    Follow the friendship string

  • Jazzee

    Big tough guy Ben Gray threatening a citizen because they wanted to ask a question. Something stinks and Mrs Gray should be replaced. She needs to put on her big girl pants and go away just like Ben.

  • Omaha Realist

    Much Ado About Nothing. Sorry folks – the organizations in question are all reputable noble organizations that Ben Gray VOLUNTEERED for. The OPS board deemed it proper to make contributions. Has anyone looked at the votes on these contributions? Gut feel tells me even if Mrs. Gray had recused herself they would have passed. Where is the conflict of interest? How are the Grays “lining their own pockets”? How did Ben Gray in any way profit from these contributions? The whole situation strikes me as political posturing by (either of) the parties.

  • Paul

    Freddie Gray is not the only school board member to have a conflict of interest complaint filed against her. Marian Fey had one in 2011 for her being employed by The Artery while having a contract with OPS.

  • Squid

    KMTV Just posted a story that Ben gray was a paid employee so much for the volunteer angle

  • Gflores

    Girls Inc, United Way, Impact One…seems like every politician with a higher agenda is part of these organazations! They bring people into these jobs for a future vote and money to a higher position a year or two later. Are any of them retired Omaha Police too?