Byrd-Bennett’s co-defendants don’t followher lead on plea
A day after former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett admitted her guilt in a kickback scheme to steer millions to her former employers, Thomas Vranas (left) and Gary Solomon, they entered not guilty pleas in federal court.
A day after former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett admitted her guilt in a kickback scheme to steer millions in no-bid contracts to her former employers, those men, now her two co-defendants, entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in federal court.
Like Byrd-Bennett, Gary Solomon and Thomas Vranas were charged last week in a 43-page indictment with multiple counts of wire fraud and mail fraud. The owners of the now-defunct SUPES Academy and Synesi Associates also face charges of bribery and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Both pleaded not guilty to all counts, the worst of which carry up to 20 years in prison. Solomon, 47, of Wilmette, and Vranas, 34, of Glenview, answered the judge’s questions but otherwise did not speak during the 20-minute hearing. They did not look at each other in the courtroom.
Both remain free pending the outcome of the case, albeit with conditions.
Solomon must undergo any medical or psychiatric treatment recommended by court personnel. U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang said that is “warranted” based on a pretrial report. He is the same judge who on Tuesday accepted Byrd-Bennett’s plea agreement, in which prosecutors promised to drop 19 of the 20 counts she faces in exchange for her ongoing cooperation in the case. The 66-year-old Emanuel appointee could face about seven and a half years in prison if she “fully and truthfully” cooperates with prosecutors, likely at least against Solomon and Vranas.
Vranas must surrender any firearms, a Taser he owns and his firearm owner identification card.
Solomon’s attorneys, Anthony Masciopinto and Shelly Kulwin, declined to comment on treatment their client may require. They told reporters after the hearing that Solomon’s relationship with the Chicago Public Schools predated Byrd-Bennett’s relationship with his company. They said his case is “distinct” from Byrd-Bennett’s, and they said he is cooperating with prosecutors.
“There’s a dialogue that’s been transpiring, which is common, and we’ll see what happens,” Masciopinto said.
Vranas’ attorney, Michael Monico, declined to comment at all.
Solomon was once the dean of Niles West High School in Skokie, but he was forced out after he was accused by his bosses of “immoral and unprofessional” conduct, including allegations he kissed a female student; covered up students’ drug and alcohol use; and sent “sexually suggestive, predatory” emails to students with eating disorders, court records show. He also used highly racist terms to refer to African-Americans in an email to a former student, and wrote that black people “will never set foot in his house,” the Sun-Times has reported.
Vranas was a student at Niles West. Both men later worked together at the Princeton Review before starting their own education services companies in the north suburbs.