Police: Schools president death suicide
CHICAGO – Chicago’s school board president apparently shot himself in the head near the Chicago River before dawn Monday, officials said as his death was met with disbelief by civic leaders and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott had said in August that he had been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury investigating allegations of politically influenced admissions to top schools, but authorities did not immediately make any connection between the legal case and his death.
“It is simply too early for us to draw any conclusions,” Police Superintendent Jody Weis told reporters Monday afternoon.
Police said Scott’s body and a .380-caliber handgun were found on an embankment near a riverside loading dock about 3:15 a.m. after his car was discovered nearby. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a suicide.
Scott, 60, last was seen about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and Weis said Scott’s wife called it unusual for him not to return home before midnight. His family reported him missing overnight.
Chicago police were looking for security camera video and tracking the gun’s registration, Weis said. He said investigators were looking into whether Scott left a suicide note.
“I am shocked and stunned beyond belief,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a statement in which he called Scott, an “incredibly intelligent man” and his friend for “more than 25 years.”
Scott revealed in August that he’d been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury investigating allegations of politically influenced admissions to Chicago’s nine selective-enrollment high schools. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman launched the investigation in July after his office learned policies might have been violated.
Scott said at the time that he had confidence in the selection process and others should, too.
Scott also drew questions last summer about his service on the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee when he disclosed involvement with a group developing city-owned vacant lots near the site of a proposed Olympic venue. Scott, who owned a real estate development company formed in 2001, broke ties with the group. City bid officials said Scott should have disclosed his involvement earlier, saying he wasn’t profiting from the deal.
