An extensive audit has raised suspicions that a California school district may have issued diplomas to students from China, highlighting potential illegal financial practices linked to its international programs.
The Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD) in Riverside, California, underwent a thorough audit by the county’s superintendent, resulting in a report exceeding 1,000 pages. This report alleges that VVUSD granted unauthorized diplomas to nonresident Chinese students at its sister school, Pegasus California School in Qingdao, China.
“The audit commissioned by Dr. Gomez raises serious concerns about academic integrity, taxpayer fraud, and potential national security issues,” said Steven G. Larson, a partner at Larson LLP. “We found that a California public school district issued diplomas improperly to Chinese students. The extensive records indicate that these diplomas might have been used to create a misleading impression of legitimacy for students applying to U.S. universities.”
Dr. Edwin Gomez, the Riverside County Superintendent, authorized the audit based on a 2021 investigative report that raised concerns about the district’s operations. He stated, “Our duty is to safeguard the integrity of public education and ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately and transparently.” He further emphasized the importance of addressing the significant issues identified in the audit, pledging to act with integrity.
The audit uncovered indications that diplomas from California high schools might have been awarded to students who didn’t comply with legal or residency requirements, marking potential fraud and financial misconduct within the district.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco expressed concerns about the partnership with the Chinese school, describing it as an example of corruption prevalent in California. “This situation reveals how profoundly corrupt these individuals are. They show little regard for taxpayer money and seem to benefit personally by issuing diplomas fraudulently to students in China,” he remarked.
Chinese students linked to this partnership were reportedly promised spots in prestigious U.S. universities. “Meanwhile, California students are left with nothing,” Bianco added.
Teachers from the VVUSD allegedly taught at the partner schools in China and lived in furnished apartments. According to the audit, those associated with Pegasus took unpaid leave from VVUSD while receiving salaries, medical benefits, and housing from Pegasus.
Concerning the education provided to Chinese students, the report noted that certain historical content had been omitted from textbooks, and many educators lacked proper qualifications. There were also allegations of possible bribes and kickbacks related to the district’s relationship with the Chinese school.
A spokesperson for VVUSD mentioned that the district is fully cooperating with the audit process regarding the Valverde-Pegasus partnership from 2016 to 2020. They emphasized their commitment to transparency and their focus on serving students and the community. The Pegasus California School, which was previously listed on the district’s site, is no longer featured there.
