Ohio charter paid immigration fees ABC NEWS Gulen Charter School Fruad

The operator of several Ohio charter schools is responding to allegations it improperly spent thousands of dollars on immigration-related fees. Concept Schools operates Horizon Science Academies. Three of the charter schools are located in Toledo.

The company released a statement. It says it has stopped paying the fees and recruits teachers from Ohio when possible.

It's the large, colorful sign on the outside of the building that grabs your attention. But it's what was allegedly going on inside that is getting the attention of investigators. Tracy Brown says, "That's not fair 'cause there are a lot of teachers here who are qualified to do the same job that they are doing."

According to financial audits, the schools were illegally paying immigration and naturalization service fees for family members of Turkish teachers recruited to teach in Ohio. The audits reveal multiple instances totally nearly $13,000.

Today, the VP of Concept Schools released a statement. In part in reads: "Audit reports show that three science academies - including Toledo high school paid these expenses for 19 employees and some of their family members totaling up to $13,000. All of these funds were reimbursed."

Brown is content with the quality of education at the school. The statement addresses the decision to hire out of state math and science teachers. It reads: "At the time, back in 2001, there as a nationwide shortage of math and science teachers so we recruited some highly qualified math and science teachers from Turkey."

Horizon Science Academies were founded by Turkish mathematicians and scientists. The school does not charge tuition. It receives state and federal money.

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