In the autumn of 2010, Catherine Black, at the time chair of Hearst, was nominated to be Chancellor of the New York City Schools. She had no background in public education and, in fact, lacked the credentials specified for the job. What to do? Get a waiver to avoid the credentials issue. To do so would require popular support.
In the world in which she and the mayor traveled they knew a lot of relatively famous people. So, they decided to tap the women of that segment of the voting public, such as Oprah Winfrey, Whoopie Godlberg, Diane von Furstenburg, Donna Karan, Evelyn Lauder.
There were a number of e-mails exchanged between the Black and Bloomberg camps. A young reporter, Sergio Hernandez, decided to dig into the affair and filed requests for information under the appropriate law. When Bloomberg did not supply the information, Hernandez appealed to the courts. Bloomberg was ordered to comply, but he decided to try another court avenue. He lost there and, after a third court attempt, finally conceded.
How much did the city spend on this attempt to hide the facts. So far, it's at least $27,500; it will likely increase when the city pay's Hernandez's lawyers.
And, the by way, Ms Black was forced out as chancellor after serving 95 days.
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