Two Broward County Public Schools employees accused of fraud appeared before a judge Thursday after investigators alleged they improperly used school facilities for personal financial gain.
Authorities said Henry McNabb, 42, of Deerfield Beach, and Brenton Hankerson, 43, of North Lauderdale, were using district facilities without authorization and charging the public to attend events held on school property.
The alleged misconduct came to light in May following a confrontation between McNabb and Delvin King, principal of Youth Under Construction School in Pompano Beach. King said he had scheduled his school’s graduation ceremony at Blanche Ely High School’s basketball gymnasium, only to arrive and find another event already underway.
“I came in and there was a whole basketball tournament going on here at Blanche Ely High School,” King said. “There was nothing on the calendar. I am the only person (who) rented the gym.”
King believes McNabb and others were using Broward school gymnasiums to host athletic events without going through the district’s required approval process, while charging admission.
“They are illegally renting out the gym for personal financial gain,” King said.
He also raised concerns about safety and liability, noting the absence of district staff during the unauthorized event.
“There were no employees there,” King said. “No security, no custodians, not one Broward County school employee.”
In a statement to Local 10 News, Broward County Public Schools confirmed the arrests.
“Both employees in question were arrested by Broward Schools Police as part of an investigations into the improper use of district facilities for personal gain,” the statement said. “The Superintendent maintains a zero-tolerance stance on public corruption, and both employees will be subject to termination.”
Officials said McNabb alone deprived the district of nearly $13,000 in potential revenue.
Both suspects were held at the Broward Main Jail on $15,000 bond. Hankerson bonded out Thursday night and did not speak with reporters as he was released.
