Following his arrest last week on multiple charges of grand larceny, public corruption, and corruption of the government, Utica City School District Superintendent Bruce Karam was fired Monday.
Investigators with the Oneida District Attorney, the State Comptroller, and the State Police determined that Karam was using school money and resources including stamps, envelopes, and other supplies to send election mailers in support of school board candidates that he favored and determined his contract, salary, and authority.
He also is accused of using school resources to send invitations for a non-school-related fundraiser for a purported charity run by LaPolla. Fundraiser fliers for the charity were inserted by school district employees during school hours in envelopes the school district paid for and were mailed using the district’s stamps. LaPolla was allegedly aware that school resources were being used on his behalf.
Karam also allegedly tried to cover up his actions by attempting to persuade school district employees to untruthfully say that these resources were being used for a valid purpose.
The value of the unlawful use of taxpayer funds totaled $14,649, including $9,775 in stamps, $1,015 in supplies, and $3,859 in compensation for hours of work.
Karam served as UCSD Superintendent from 2011 until he was put on leave on Oct. 18, 2022.
