State declines to investigate allegations against Broward School Board members targeting ‘pay-for-play’

A state inspector general has decided not to launch an investigation into allegations by Broward School Board member Torey Alston that some of his colleagues had inappropriate relationships with the Broward Teachers Union.

Some board members believe the state is not pursuing the case because the allegations are baseless, but Alston said the investigation was stymied by concerns raised by Marylin Batista, the district’s general counsel, that board members might reveal confidential information from closed-door meetings.

One of Alston’s allegations actually revolved around disclosure of confidential matters. He reported to the state that he believed some school board members had leaked information from secret strategy negotiations to union members.

Alston also alleged that some board members may have supported salary increases after receiving union support and campaign contributions, which he called “pay-to-play.”

Alston sent a five-page letter on March 8 asking Mike Blackburn, inspector general of the Florida Department of Education, to investigate the matter.

But Blackburn has decided against it, at least for now, Nathalia Medina, spokeswoman for the Department of Education, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in an email.

“The Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has informed Mr. Alston that we are closing the complaint,” Medina wrote. “If additional information, evidence, or details come to light, the OIG will re-evaluate the matter to determine if further action is necessary.”

Alston told the Sun Sentinel that Batista “advised me not to share the information I observed with the FDOE. That’s why it was shut down. I clearly disagree with their legal opinion.”