The chief financial officer for the Scottsdale Unified School District was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday as a result of a state investigation into an alleged conflict of interest.
The Attorney General’s Office has been investigating the Scottsdale district for possible civil and criminal violations in connection with possible conflicts of interest.
The district issued a statement saying that chief financial officer Laura Smith has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to district records, Smith operated a consulting firm that did business with the district while she was serving as CFO.
The letter was signed by superintendent Denise Birdwell. Both Birdwell and Smith used to work in the Higley Unified School district where Birdwell also served as superintendent.
As KJZZ reported last month, residents and voters have been critical of the district’s handling of a bond issue and school finances.
