5thEstate.com EXCLUSIVE story! (MUST credit) The only place to see the proof!

I am a product of city schools and a 1982 McCaskey graduate ~ Ron Harper Jr, Editor

5thEstate.com provides the exclusive evidence to help you decide! About a month ago, Curry charmed SDL parents and attacked those who questioned his hiring practices at a meeting for the public. While on stage, Curry even pulled his shirt out and paraded around imitating a thug! A December 4, 2003 Lancaster New Era quoted Curry as saying:

"I don't remember anyone from a previous administration being asked if she had a personal relationship with anyone she gave $200,000 or $300,000 to," said Curry. "I want the same respect."

According to Curry, you can't question him - because it would show disrespect! Curry went on to say that school district consultant David K. DeShields was his wife's cousin and that he (Curry) did not hire him. Oh really?

"Stage Name"
Before we dismantle those claims, let's talk about Ric Curry's "stage name". That's right, the superintendent's REAL last name is not Curry - it's Burns! Ric has told various people that "Ricardo Curry" is his "professional name". According to court papers obtained from the Lancaster County courthouse, Curry er ahh ah Burns, officially changed his name to Ricardo Curry Burns on September 15, 2003.

Ric told the court that he wanted to change his name to "…honor his father and the relationship they enjoy." Except Ric doesn't use the name in official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or School District of Lancaster (Click to see his reason for yourself)

Who is DeShield and what are his qualifications?
So how many people do you know that get paid $1,500 per day? That's right, city taxpayer's coughed up a total of $13,000 to one consultant among other things, "Facilitation of meetings and information sharing regarding Transformational Leadership", "Reflective Practice" "Organizational Development Consultation" etc… So who is David K. DeShield and what are his qualifications to deserve up to $1,500 per day?

According to his marriage license application filed in Delaware County, Pa just 20 months before receiving $1,500 per day, DeShields' swore under penalty of law that said his Usual Occupation was "Truck Driver"! He began helping the school district 21 months after getting off probation for events surrounding a DUI conviction that, according to court documents, included a night in the Sharon Hill, PA police station and a night in the Delaware County Jail, 23 months of probation and involved charges of disorderly conduct and careless driving. (Click to see Police Report)

Curry Pays Brother-in-Law up to $1,500 per day!
When Curry demanded "respect" from those that dared question him - he must not have thought of 5thEstate.com. We set out to see if Curry's statement that DeShields is his wife's cousin. According to Marriage license applications filed by DeShields in Delaware County and Ric's filed in Lancaster County, David DeShields and Ric's wife have the same mother and father! That would make him Ric's brother-in-law NOT his wife's cousin! (Click to see Ric's) or (Click to see DeShields')

Curry Helped get the Dough for his B-I-L
"Facilitation of meetings and information sharing regarding Transformational Leadership", "Reflective Practice" WOW… imagine preparing a seminar on those subjects! No wonder DeShields was paid so much! Remember that Curry said that someone else hired DeShields? Wrong. When contacted, they not only denied hiring or knowing DeShields but also said "I didn't even work at the school then, how could I hire him?"

Upon closer examination, DeShields' rather plain invoice was faxed over from Curry's home fax machine! Curry's involvement with this $13,000 taxpayer expenditure is much greater than he admitted. Curry intialed all the invoices (with his stage name intials!) So did Curry type up the invoice or did DeShields? In any case, every invoice was processed ASAP and the the checks would be picked up at the school's administration building. (Click to see a copy of the scanned invoice)

Legitimate Leadership Consulting Company?
Ok…so maybe this truck driver brother did an amazing turn-around in less than two years and is now the head of a leadership consulting company making upwards of $1,500 per day. Here is a picture of DeShields banking institution. What do you think? All three checks - totaling $13,000, were cashed at the DelMar Check Cashing, just a short distance from DeShields' residence where he lives with his Mom. This check cashing place will give you cash immediately! In two cases, DeShields' checks were for the amount of $5,000. The check cashing place charges 1 1/2% or $75 fee for cashing just one of those checks! How many $1,500 per day consultants use these Check Cashing Place?

At press time, DeShields had not returned messages to 5thEstate.com

What about other Consultants?
While 5thEstate.com is continuing their ground breaking investigation into potential abuse of the consultants in Lancaster Schools, another consultant, Valeria Booker charged $600 per day for "Reading Consultant and Session Facilitator". The consultant's invoices had bad grammar and incorrect word choices for someone that is getting $600 per DAY as a literacy consultant.

For instance, this literacy expert had the following nonsense statement on her invoice:

"Balance Literacy Follow Professional Development"

Friend of Curry
When we contacted Booker, she admitted that Curry and her were friends for years and that she did not have a college degree. (she offered that she did have a Pennsylvania Child Care certificate).

Stay tuned to 5thEstate.com for our ongoing investigation - remember - we show you the proof!

ATTENTION: If you are a school district employee and can provide more information for our ongoing investigation, please call our editor, Ron Harper Jr. at 471-6520. Your name will remain a secret!

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