Hillsborough School Finance Chief Indicted in Kickback Scheme
Hillsborough Township’s former school finance chief, Aiman Mahmoud, faces federal charges of accepting kickbacks, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. The charges stem from a scheme involving a contractor who allegedly provided Mahmoud with cash payments in exchange for favorable treatment regarding school district contracts.
Prosecutors allege that the contractor would frequently withdraw large sums of money from his bank account, place the cash in envelopes, and then leave them in vehicles belonging to Mahmoud. These transactions reportedly took place in parking lots, often without witnesses.
The indictment details how Mahmoud, as the district's finance director, held significant influence over the awarding of contracts. His role involved overseeing the budget, approving expenditures, and managing relationships with vendors. The alleged kickback scheme exploited this position of power for personal financial gain.
Federal authorities are investigating the extent of the kickback scheme and the number of contracts potentially influenced by Mahmoud's actions. The investigation began following an internal audit within the Hillsborough Township School District, which raised concerns about financial irregularities.
Mahmoud’s responsibilities included ensuring the district’s financial stability and adherence to state and federal regulations. The allegations against him represent a serious breach of public trust and could have significant implications for the school district’s operations and reputation. Further details about the contractor involved and the specific contracts under scrutiny are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings unfold.
The Hillsborough Township School District has released a statement expressing its commitment to cooperating fully with the federal investigation and ensuring transparency throughout the process. They have also stated they are taking steps to review and strengthen their internal financial controls to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
