Report: Ohio school official spied on his critics

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A state report says a former school official accused of stealing from the Cleveland and Toledo districts also spent taxpayer money to investigate board members and critics.

The state auditor’s office says Daniel Burns spent $1,500 while in Toledo to investigate and do criminal background checks on three board members and two district critics.

Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor said last week that Burns stole nearly $660,000 through fake equipment purchases and a duplicate payment scheme for equipment repair in Toledo.

Burns oversaw the district’s business office for many years before working for the Cleveland schools.

He has been indicted in Cleveland for reportedly pocketing $160,000 for printing equipment purchases never provided. He has pleaded not guilty.

He has not been charged in Toledo.