Conflicts, Nepotism
Draper says nepotism and cronyism is OK because it's not "technically" illegal, "It just smells."
May 07, 2007
Draper made this statement in response to a resident who criticized her for historically engaging in nepotism and cronyism by discussing and voting on district contracts with Culbertson, Adams and Associates, an environmental firm where Draper's daughter, Shawna Schaffner, serves as CEO. The Waldrip report had admonished the trustees to avoid the appearance of such improprieties, and cited the Culbertson and Adams agreement as an example. Judge Waldrip advised any trustee with such family relationships to abstain from such discussions or votes in the future, and speculated that the public would see the end of such improprieties as more reasonable judgement prevailed at CUSD in the future. Draper and the other Fleming trustees never apologized or took personal responsibility for any of the numerous wrongdoings confirmed by Waldrip. Instead, Draper disregarded Waldrip's admonitions and advice, discussed and voted for her daughter's contract at the first opportunity, and twisted Waldrip's words to justify her continued unethical conduct. Rather than raise the ethical bar at CUSD, as Waldrip recommended, Draper disregarded ethics and defended the bare legal minimum as good enough for CUSD ... even if it "smells." The crowd and the press were shocked. The new superintendent, Dennis Smith, put his face into his hands and shook his head in disbelief. The only person in the room who didn't seem to get it, was Draper.
Draper voted to approve environmental reports prepared by daughter
Jan 02, 2007
Mike Winsten, Trabuco Canyon
News “Draper’s
daughter, Shawna Schaffner, works for CUSD’s
primary environmental consulting firm, Culbertson,
Adams & Associates. Schaffner was personally
responsible for producing numerous environmental
reports and documents that were submitted and
approved by Draper and the rest of the Board of
Trustees.”
Fleming trustees in denial, refuse to take responsibility for CUSD misdeeds, attack critics instead
Dec 10, 2006
Brad Goff, The Orange County
Register “To date, no one
in the administration and not a single CUSD board
member has taken personal responsibility for any
of the district’s past wrongdoings. To the
contrary, the last two board meetings (since the
election) have seen trustees go on tirades against
the recall folks, the teacher’s union president
and the Orange County Register writer who reported
on many of the misdeeds.” Goff is
the Chairman of Citizens for a Safe Rancho Santa
Margarita, a local citizen action group.
Volunteer speaks out against Draper conflict of interest
Aug 15, 2002
Pat Bauer, Capistrano Valley
News "Either the
company has to pull out or Marlene shouldn't be
involved with the high school. It's a true
conflict of interest because it's a financial gain
for her family. It's the same old good-old-boy
thing. There are innuendoes and you don't know
what's happening." Bauer,
a League of Women Voters volunteer and a
Whispering Hills opponent, speaks out against
Marlene Draper voting to give business to
Culbertson, Adams & Associates, a firm
working on the
Whispering Hills project that also employs her
daughter — raising concerns about a conflict of
interest.