MCAS Scandal Rocks Massachusetts as Former Principal Pleads Guilty
BOSTON, MA – In a shocking turn of events, former principal of the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter School in Springfield, Janet Henry, 42, pleaded guilty to a federal felony in connection with assisting students to cheat on the MCAS.
According to the Information, Henry became Principal of the school in 2009 and instructed teachers to give clues and other tips to students during the MCAS tests in March and April of that year. If teachers saw students entering nonsense answers, they were told to tell students to review their answers again. Henry also warned teachers that the school could close or everyone would lose their jobs if the test scores were not satisfactory.
On April 16, 2009, upon the completion of the MCAS examinations, Henry falsely certified that the tests had been administered honestly.
Henry’s actions were allegedly motivated by pressure from a member of the charter school’s board of directors. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2015.
The case was announced by United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Brian M. Hickey, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, and Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin O’Regan of Ortiz’s Springfield Office.
Janet Henry, Defendant/respondent REAL full name: Janet Henry
Exact criminal charges: mail fraud
City and state: Springfield, Massachusetts
Exact DATE with month/day/year: 2009
Sentence or outcome: faces up to 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine
Dollar amounts where applicable: $250,000
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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