{"id":5647,"date":"2026-04-18T00:07:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=5647"},"modified":"2026-04-18T00:07:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:07:16","slug":"tech-ceo-ex-lausd-insider-face-explosive-22m-kickback-case-as-court-fight-heats-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=5647","title":{"rendered":"Tech CEO, ex-LAUSD insider face explosive $22M kickback case as court fight heats up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A Texas tech executive accused of helping funnel millions out of the Los Angeles Unified School District pleaded not guilty Friday, as prosecutors push forward in what they describe as one of the biggest alleged corruption schemes in district history.<\/p>\n<p>Gautham Sampath, 53, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom where he was arraigned on felony charges including money laundering and conflict-of-interest violations tied to public contracts, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n<p>Before Judge Teresa McGonigle, Sampath entered a not guilty plea. He was released on his own recognizance under strict conditions: surrendering his passport, remaining in the United States and complying with all laws.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Gautham Sampath, 53, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. <span class=\"credit\">Frederick M. Brown for California Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Hong \u201cGrace\u201d Peng. <span class=\"credit\">Frederick M. Brown for California Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Judge Teresa McGonigle. <span class=\"credit\">Frederick M. Brown for California Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The case now moves to June 10, when it will be determined whether there is enough evidence to push the case toward trial.<\/p>\n<p>At the center of the scandal is Sampath\u2019s alleged partnership with former LAUSD IT project manager Hong \u201cGrace\u201d Peng, 53, of Pasadena.<\/p>\n<p>Peng has already pleaded not guilty to similar felony charges, including money laundering and having a financial interest in contracts she oversaw.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors say the two orchestrated a multi-year \u201cpay-to-play\u201d operation tied to LAUSD\u2019s MiSiS student information system, steering lucrative work to Sampath\u2019s company, Innive.<\/p>\n<p>Between 2018 and 2022, Peng allegedly helped direct more than $22 million in contracts to the firm while secretly benefiting from the arrangement. <\/p>\n<p>In return, Sampath is accused of routing more than $3 million back to Peng through a web of intermediaries designed to conceal the payments.<\/p>\n<p>District Attorney Nathan Hochman blasted the alleged scheme as a \u201cblatant abuse of public trust,\u201d accusing the pair of diverting taxpayer dollars meant for students into their own pockets.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities say the operation may have been even broader. <\/p>\n<p>According to the criminal complaint, Innive collected more than $39 million in payments from LAUSD between 2017 and 2023.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>District Attorney Nathan Hochman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Peng allegedly helped direct more than $22 million. <span class=\"credit\">Frederick M. Brown for CA Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption> The probe has been active since the allegations first surfaced in April 2022. <span class=\"credit\">Frederick M. Brown for California Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The probe is led by LAUSD\u2019s Office of Inspector General.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Explosive text messages cited by investigators appear to show the pair openly discussing how to exploit the system, and how to hide it.<\/p>\n<p>In one exchange, Sampath allegedly asked, \u201cWhat r the other opportunities in LAUSD. That we can exploit,\u201d with Peng responding, \u201cYea, a lot of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other messages suggest effort to cover their tracks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDelete all watsup chats\u2026 if anyone sees the text about these internal things it will be a prb,\u201d Sampath wrote in February 2018, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n<p>Peng, in another message, allegedly laid out a strategy to inflate billing: \u201cI have a way to get those money. Can load them up more work, then charge more hours.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Investigators say the duo also discussed setting up multiple companies to move money and avoid detection.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to come up with lot of companies\u2026 at least 3-4 to take out the money\u2026 Close to million will be transferred to you,\u201d Sampath allegedly wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Peng even floated establishing entities overseas, suggesting locations including Hong Kong, China or Singapore, according to the complaint. <\/p>\n<p>The fallout has extended beyond criminal charges.<\/p>\n<p>LAUSD has filed a civil lawsuit against both Sampath and Peng, accusing them of violating state conflict-of-interest laws and concealing financial ties while influencing contracting decisions.<\/p>\n<p>The complaint alleges Peng participated in procurement, evaluations, and approvals involving millions of dollars while maintaining undisclosed financial and personal connections to Sampath.<\/p>\n<p>It also claims the contractor failed to disclose those conflicts despite clear ethical obligations. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cLos Angeles Unified is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws, and we expect our employees and business partners to comply with the highest standards of ethics and integrity,\u201d Acting Superintendent Andres E. Chait said in a statement, vowing accountability and efforts to recover taxpayer funds.<\/p>\n<p>Peng resigned from the district in late 2022 after search warrants were executed at her home and workplace as the investigation intensified.<\/p>\n<p>The probe, led by LAUSD\u2019s Office of Inspector General alongside the District Attorney\u2019s Bureau of Investigation, has been active since the allegations first surfaced in April 2022.<\/p>\n<p>With both defendants denying the charges, the high-stakes case now heads toward a pivotal June hearing that could determine whether the explosive allegations land before a jury.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u901a\u680f\u9876\u90e8\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u6a2a\u5e45 908x258 \u8de8\u6574\u884c -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; height:258px; background:#ff6b6b; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114307\" data-width=\"908\" data-height=\"258\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114307});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u7b2c\u4e8c\u901a\u680f\uff1a728\u00d790 \u901a\u680f -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; height:90px; background:#4ecdc4; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114300\" data-width=\"728\" data-height=\"90\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114300});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u4e3b\u680f\uff1a\u591a\u5e7f\u544a\u5806\u53e0 -->\r\n  <div style=\"display:grid; gap:2px;\">\r\n    <div style=\"height:60px; background:#45b7d1; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114308\" data-width=\"468\" data-height=\"60\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114308});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n    <div style=\"height:250px; background:#ffe066; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114299\" data-width=\"300\" data-height=\"250\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114299});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n    <div style=\"height:250px; background:#ff9ecd; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114305\" data-width=\"250\" data-height=\"250\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114305});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n    <div style=\"height:139px; background:#c792ea; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114302\" data-width=\"133\" data-height=\"139\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114302});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n    <div style=\"height:125px; background:#91e7ac; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t\r\n<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114303\" data-width=\"125\" data-height=\"125\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114303});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u7ad6\u680f\uff1a160\u00d7600 \u6574\u5217\u9ad8\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row:3\/8; height:600px;  display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/04\/17\/us-news\/tech-ceo-ex-lausd-insider-face-explosive-22m-kickback-case-as-court-fight-heats-up\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Texas tech executive accused of helping funnel millions out of the Los Angeles Unified&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[349],"tags":[6481,1325,2802,1788,6480,3635,372,1390,6483,1363,6482,984],"class_list":["post-5647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-22m","tag-case","tag-ceo","tag-court","tag-exlausd","tag-explosive","tag-face","tag-fight","tag-heats","tag-insider","tag-kickback","tag-tech"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517.jpg",1200,799,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-768x511.jpg",640,426,true],"large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-1024x682.jpg",640,426,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517.jpg",1200,799,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517.jpg",1200,799,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-1024x682.jpg",1024,682,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LAUSD_808517-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?cat=349\" rel=\"category\">Blog<\/a>","tag_info":"Blog","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}