BISD changed billing practices after Walker investigation began in '09
22.05.12
After the FBI came to Beaumont ISD administrators with questions about Calvin Walker 's work for the district, the district changed the way it does business with contractors.
Walker, the district's electrician of record, is on trial in federal court charged with defrauding and overbilling the district by almost $4 million.
In the first week of testimony in the trial, school district employees have explained to jurors the process the district followed when it came time to pay Walker for his services in 2009, but said steps in that process have changed since then.
The district already had to revamp the process it has for competitively bidding jobs after an audit by the Texas Education Agency this year showed the district did not follow proper Texas Education Code policy.
Walker began working for the district in 2006 after winning that type bid for the electrical maintenance contract.
Debra Cormier, a supervisor in the maintenance department, testified Friday that she would call Walker to do electrical jobs that required special equipment or permitting or were too time-consuming or too difficult for the district's maintenance staff.
Source: Beaumont Enterprise