Pittsburgh School Board calls ethics report on superintendent ‘concerning’

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Board of Education is responding to the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission’s report on Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, calling the findings “concerning and a distraction for the District as we commence the new school year.”

Channel 11 reported last week on the investigation, which accused Hamlet of violating state ethics codes related to travel expenses.

Friday, the board reported that it had read the report, and takes it “very seriously.”

A statement reads in part, “we are addressing with the District’s Solicitor the various issues presented in the Report ... In the coming weeks, we will consider any appropriate actions to be taken, including addressing any internal control issues and other matters raised in the Report. This is a serious matter, and the Board must give it the time it demands to assess the overall situation. The Board will have more to say at the conclusion of its evaluation.”

Ahead of that statement being released, Channel 11 caught up with Hamlet at a back-to-school event Friday morning.

When asked about criticism from city leaders, Hamlet said they have a “biased opinion” and claimed he’s had a target on his back for years.

He further maintained that the report “vindicates” him, claiming “they didn’t find any intentional wrongdoing.”

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