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For years, one of the largest charter school network operating in the United States has secretly concealed their affiliation with the controversial Turkish imam Fethullah Gülen. Now, their activity has come under greater public attention. A pattern of hidden agendas, phony real estate practices, self-dealing among their own vendors, inflated kickbacks, and rampant abuse of visa programs are just some of the practices uncovered by following investigation into the Gülen schools operating in 28 different states.
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Jointly published by Amsterdam & Partners LLP (UK)
and
Amsterdam & Partners LLP (U.S.)
(together, trading as Amsterdam & Partners LLP).
Amsterdam & Partners LLP (UK) is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under registration number OC342567. Its registered office and principal place of business is at 3rd Floor, 139 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NU. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), under SRA number 499805. Its professional rules and code of conduct are available at http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/code-of-conduct.page .
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Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in news media, political or editorial commentary, critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at:
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Printed in the United States of America.
ISBN: 978-0-9993351-0-9
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Author(s): Amsterdam & Partners LLP
Publisher: Amsterdam & Partners LLP
Year: 2017
Language: English
Commentary: [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın Kuzeni Halil Mutlu, Gülen okulunda yönetici çıktı! – Washington Press](https://web.archive.org/web/20230511065007/https://www.washingtonpress.net/erdoganin-kuzeni-halil-mutlu-gulen-okulunda-yonetici-cikti/)
Pages: 650
EMPIRE OF DECEIT: An Investigation of the Gülen Charter School Network Book I
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Gülen Charter Fraud in the United States: A Primer
Introduction
Methodology
An Introduction to Fethullah Gülen
Gülen’s Philosophy in Action: A Model for Apparent Fraud
Maintaining Academic Credibility: How the Gülen Organization Skews Testing Data and Academic Performance
Building Student Loyalty and the Gülen Organization’s Point System
Educational Institutions
The Tuzuk Agreement and Forced Tithing for Employees of the Gülen Organization
Business Interests and the Gülenist’s American Dream
Kickbacks and Conspiracy to Defraud Federal Funds – the FBI Investigation of Concept Schools
The Most Egregious Examples of Insider Property Deals in Each Region
Cultural Associations
Spotlight on Niagara Foundation and Pacifica
Niagara Foundation:
Pacifica Institute:
The Gülen Organization’s Primary Aims in Public Education
Markers of a Gülen Organization Charter School
The Life Cycle of a Gülen Organization Charter Network
Stage One: Setting the Stage
Stage Two: Creating the Customers
Stage Three: Creating the Boss
Stage Four: Too Big To Fail
Dismantling the Gülen Organization Charter Empire
Moving Forward
Aims and Tactics
NORTHEAST REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Northeast Region
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Real Estate and Bond Financing
Regional Network Comparison
Regional Vendors
Regional Employee Overlap*
New Jersey
Quick Facts
Overview
List of Schools and Charter Applications Denied
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Founders are Paid Employees and Contractors of iLearn Schools
Financial Issues and Educational Compliance Concerns
Payment of Immigration Costs by Schools is Illegal
State monitoring reports – Special Education and Title I
Findings - Special Education:
Financial Statements
Instructional vs.administrative expenses
Gift to iLearn CEO
Bond Financing
Real Estate
iLearn school properties
Excessive Use of H1-B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Old Bridge Albert Einstein EnergySmart Charter
Linden – Union Arts and Science Charter
Federal Civil Rights Complaint Filed
Notable Turkish Vendors
Technotime Business Solutions
Apple Educational Services
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in New Jersey
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the New Jersey Gülenist Network
New York
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H1-B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the New York Gülenist Network
Massachusetts
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Massachusetts Network
Hampden ChicopeeProperty History
Pennsylvania
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Friends of Gülen Spotlight: Robert Casey, Matt Cartwright, and Mike Brubaker
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Pennsylvania Network
SOUTHEAST REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Southeastern Region
Regional Network Comparison
Regional Vendors
Regional Employee/Founder Overlap*
Florida
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
A Sample of Board Member/Employee Overlap Across the Florida Network
Inter-Entity Lending Practices
Real Estate
Bond Financing
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals and Notable Events
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Florida Network
Georgia Spotlight on a Failed Network
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Whistleblower Testimony
Notable Turkish Vendors
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Georgia Network
South Carolina
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H1-B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the South Carolina Gülenist Network
GREATER TEXAS REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Greater Texas Region
Real Estate and Bond Financing
Charter School Solutions
Regional Vendors
Arkansas
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H1-B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Arkansas Gülenist Network
Louisiana
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Investigation and Closure of Abramson:
FBI Investigation of Kenilworth
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural andBusiness Organizations Active in State
Atlas Foundation (Atlas Interfaith Foundation)
Turkish Cultural Centers:
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Louisiana Gülenist Network
Southern Missouri
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Real Estate
Bond Financing
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Notable Gülenist Organizations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Frontier Missouri Network
New Mexico
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of H1-B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the New Mexico Gülenist Network
Oklahoma
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in Oklahoma
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Oklahoma Gülenist Network
Tennessee
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of H1-B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Tennessee Gülenist Network
Texas
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight:
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Texas Gülenist Network
District of Columbia
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Abuse
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of H-1B Visa Program
Notable Gülenist Vendors
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friend of Gülen Spotlight
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the DC Gülenist Network
MIDWESTERN REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Midwestern Region
Horizon/Noble (OH)
Horizon/Math and Science (IL)
Math and Science (WI)
Math and Science (MN)
Math and Science (IN)
Math and Science (MI)
Regional Network Comparison
Regional Vendors
Regional Employee Overlap*
Illinois
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Real Estate
Bond Financing
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Spotlight: Friends of Gülen Mike Madigan
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Illinois Network
Indiana
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Abuse
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Friends of Gülen Spotlight: Bilal Eksili
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Indiana Network
Michigan
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Real Estate
Bond Financing
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding MMSA
Minnesota
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Abuse
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Minnesota Network
Northern Missouri
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Abuse
Real Estate
Bond Financing
Abuse of the H-1B Visa Program
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Missouri Network
Ohio
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Abuse
Inter-Entity Lending Practices
Real Estate
HSA Cincinnati:
HSA Columbus HS:
HSA Youngstown:
Noble Academy Cleveland:
HSA Denison MS:
HSA Lorain:
HSA Toledo:
Bond Financing
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Wisconsin
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Arizona Network
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Mid-Atlantic Region
Regional Network Comparison
Regional Vendors
Regional Employee Overlap*
Maryland
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Maryland Network
North Carolina
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H1-B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the California Gülenist Network
WESTERN REGION
Quick Facts
The Origins of the Western Region
Magnolia (CA)
Beehive (UT)
Lotus (CO)
Sonoran (AZ)
Coral (NV)
Regional Network Comparison
Failed Expansion Attempts
Regional Vendors
Regional Employee Overlap*
Arizona
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Arizona Network
California
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Friends of Gülen Spotlight: Loretta Sanchez
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the California Gülenist Network
Colorado
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Articles regarding the Lotus Network
Nevada
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural Foundations and Business Associations Active in State
Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Local Articles regarding the Coral Network
Utah
Quick Facts
Overview
A History of Strategic Ambiguity and Conflicting Interests
Financial Issues
Bond Financing
Real Estate
Excessive Use of the H-1B Visa Program
Scandals, Investigations, & Notable Activities
Notable Turkish Vendors
Gülenist Cultural and Business Organizations Active in State
Gülen Connections: Individuals Caught in the Gülen Organization Web
Notable Press Coverage and Research Regarding the Utah Gülenist Network
Appendix I: Tuzuk
BY-LAWS 2005
Appendices II: Tuzuk (Turkish)
TUZUK 2005
Hampden Chicopee Property History
Whistle Blower
