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Attorney: After Conflict Of Interest Investigation, Scottsdale School District Needs Training

Susan Segal
(Photo by Mariana Dale - KJZZ)
Susan Segal addresses the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board on Monday, February 5.

An attorney hired to investigate conflict of interest in the Scottsdale Unified School District has issued her final report.

Laura Smith resigned as the chief financial officer after suspicions were raised about her connection to a consulting firm hired by the district.

Attorney Susan Segal found while Smith did report a conflict of interest, she never fully disclosed the depth of the conflict and continued to sign financial documents relating to Professional Group Public Consulting Inc.

RELATED: Scottsdale School Construction Project Central In AG Investigation

She was principal shareholder, director and president of the firm and her sister was the managing director.

Segal said she believes Smith broke the law, but it will be up to law enforcement officials to file charges.

The attorney advised the district to educate new hires and existing employees about conflict of interest policy.

The superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District, Denise Birdwell, is not giving interviews while the attorney general investigates the district.

Read the full report:

Mariana Dale was an assistant digital editor and senior field corrsepondent at KJZZ from 2016 to 2019.