Former charter school business manager pleads guilty in Philadelphia

The former business manager of charter school network in Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to playing a role in a scheme to defraud the schools of $6.7 million. The Philadelphia Inquirer says Anthony Smoot, 50, of New Castle, Del., has admitted taking part in a conspiracy to obstruct justice in connection with charter schools Dorothy June Brown had founded and run in the Philadelphia area. A former Philadelphia school district principal, Brown founded three K-8 charter schools in the city. She faces charges in connection with the scheme and is awaiting trial.