Good morning, Washington. We hope you had a pleasant and restful evening despite the howling wind and bitter cold. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee had a bit of a rough night last night herself, as she was greeted by throngs of angry Ward 5 parents at the first community meeting that allowed her to present the school closures plan to the public. Ward 5 D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. had set up the separate meeting for his ward, and the Post reports that the planned agenda had to be scrapped after officials were met with shouting and vocal frustration from parents who said they hadn’t been consulted and disagreed with the closure proposals. Sounds like the members of the Council who have been the most vocal with their disappointment at how the plan has been handled by the Fenty administration were on to something.
Bank Worker Charged in Fraud Scandal: More charges in the widening D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue scandal, this time for a Bank of America employee who stands accused of serving as a money launderer for Harriette Walters and her cohorts. Walter Jones, 33, apparently also admitted moving questionable checks through the bank branch where he worked in a Feb. 2 statement to his employer — nearly five months before fraud was exposed by a fellow Bank of America employee. The Examiner says it is unclear the bank ever informed prosecutors of the confession.
Pedestrian Killed by Metrobus: A pedestrian has died after being struck by a Metrobus near the Twinbrook Metro station in Montgomery County. The unidentified man’s death Monday evening marks the fifth fatality involving a Metrobus this year.
Briefly Noted: Former director of Metro D.C. Community Center accused of stealing from dead woman … Three people shot, two dead … Metrobus collision with SUV in PG County injures 16.
This Day in DCist: In 2006 we discussed a band that didn’t feel safe playing in D.C., and in 2004 we kept tabs on the revolving door of top White House staff.
Photo by er3465
