fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Government corruption › Article

Exclusive | NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed improper $180K contract with unapproved vendor — and let his deputy take the fall

Nypost · · 1345 words · By David Spector
Government corruption Lack of Accountability Educational Mismanagement
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Ready to play
Daily briefing

What to know about Government corruption

NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed and then covered up an improper, $180,000 no-bid contract with an unapproved Department of Education vendor when he was superintendent of an Upper West Side school district, The Post has learned.

Claims checked 20
Techniques found 3
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center86%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed and then covered up an improper, $180,000 no-bid contract with an unapproved Department of Education vendor when he was superintendent of an Upper West Side school district, The Post has learned.

Why it matters

A report issued by the Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools left Mayor Mamdani’s hand-picked chancellor entirely unscathed — while his former District 3 deputy, Mariela Graham, took the fall.

Common ground

The DOE’s independent watchdog found she and vendor Sean Kreyling, whose companies provided temporary foreign-language teachers to city schools, “conspired” to evade DOE procurement rules.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/30/us-news/nyc-schools-chancellor-signed-illegal-180k…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 95% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 20 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 10
check_circle Corroborated 5
info Single Source 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
schedule
Claim 1: “The SCI’s report on Dec. 30 — two days before Mamdani was sworn in as mayor — notes city schools are systemically plagued by vendor check-splitting and other procurement problems that helped drive up the cost of DOE goods and services last year to $386 million.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “Samuels was appointed superintendent at District 3 in July 2022.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 3: “The 11-page report issued by SCI in June and made public this week never mentions Samuels”
CORROBORATED
The Internewscast Journal and other reports explicitly state that the June SCI report made no mention of Samuels.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Doctor Strange is a 2016 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 14t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Strange_(2016_film)
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 American superhero film based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Doctor Strange. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Strange_in_the_Multiver…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE; also known as New York City Public Schools) is the department of the government of New York City that manages the city's public school system. The de…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Department_of_Ed…
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 4: “Checks were split between Kreyco, LLN’s parent company, and Kreyling-owned Reimagine Education Group... so that the contracts would stay below the $25,000 threshold”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: “Both contracts with Kreyling’s Language Learning Network called for an initial down payment of $90,000, followed by eight monthly payments of $11,250.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 6: “NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed and then covered up an improper, $180,000 no-bid contract with an unapproved Department of Education vendor when he was superintendent of an Upper West Side school district”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that Kamar Samuels signed a $180,000 no-bid contract with an unapproved vendor while serving as a superintendent on the West Side.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — In American television in 2023, notable events included television show debuts, finales, and cancellations; channel launches, closures, and re-brandings; stations changing or adding their network affi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_in_American_television
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Artificial intelligence is the capability of computational systems to perform tasks that are typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applications_of_artificial_int…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed a $180,000 no-bid contract with a non-Department of Education-approved vendor and split payments between his two companies to hide it — and investi…
https://nypost.com/2026/05/30/us-news/nyc-schools-chancellor…
+ 2 more evidence sources
help
Claim 7: “SCI blamed Graham for greenlighting the pact and also for a near identical $180,000 contract renewal she signed off on in August 2024, and demanded she be fired”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for the SCI's specific demands regarding Graham's termination or the August 2024 renewal.
schedule
Claim 8: “A review of city Comptroller’s Office records show the companies have only received $250,000 — spread over 10 separate payments of $25,000.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 9: “In January 2025, SCI received a complaint about a temp teacher placed at two Upper West Side schools by Kreyling. The teacher had been forced to quit the DOE in 2014 after SCI substantiated charges of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old student.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web search results confirm that in January 2025, SCI received a complaint about a teacher placed by Kreyling who had been forced to quit the DOE in 2014 due to sexual misconduct.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Media AB 2013. Web. 23 Jan 2014. <http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/Laureates/2001/naipaul-lecture ...
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337974352_Oprah's_B…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jul 25, 2025 ... In January 2025, SCI received a complaint about a temp teacher placed at two Upper West Side schools by Kreyling. ... sexual misconduct with ...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMiC3X8MRk2/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 30, 2026 ... In January 2025, SCI received a complaint about a temp teacher placed at two Upper West Side schools by Kreyling. ... sexual misconduct with ...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DY-f5ewk5y1/
info
Claim 10: “Contracts over $25,000 would have required three contractor bids and city comptroller scrutiny.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results discuss procurement in Texas, TDA, and general NYC reports from 2012, but do not specifically confirm the current $25,000 threshold for three bids and comptroller scrutiny for NYC DOE contracts.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dec 21, 2012 ... ... contracts exceeding $10,000 and construction contracts exceeding ... bidder; whether the contractor was selected through a request for.
https://comptroller.nyc.gov/wp-content/uploads/documents/FY1…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sep 1, 2025 ... ... Exceeding $50,000. 32. Delegation Request for Services Exceeding ... Bids. 80. CONTRACT FORMATION AND AWARD ...
https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/docs/96-1809-4.0.pd…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — specifications or request for proposals on which the bid or contract is based. ... services contracts that will exceed $25,000. Please allow time for ...
https://texasagriculture.gov/Portals/0/Publications/FIN/Proc…
check_circle
Claim 11: “the current city schools chief signed off on the deal in the 2023-2024 academic year, and split up payments to Kreyling’s two companies to escape city financial oversight.”
CORROBORATED
Three separate web search results explicitly state that Samuels signed the deal in the 2023-2024 academic year and split payments between two of Kreyling's companies to avoid oversight.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 30, 2026 ... ... signed off on the deal in the 2023-2024 academic year, and split up payments to Kreyling's two companies to escape city financial oversight.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/30/us-news/nyc-schools-chancellor…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ... signed off on the deal in the 2023-2024 academic year, and split up payments to Kreyling's two companies to escape city financial oversight. "It is my ...
https://www.aol.com/articles/nyc-schools-chancellor-kamar-sa…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Aug 26, 2025 ... ... signed off on the deal in the 2023-2024 academic year, and split up payments to Kreyling's two companies to escape city financial oversight.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DN1QmuG5BuZ/
info
Claim 12: “The DOE’s independent watchdog found she and vendor Sean Kreyling, whose companies provided temporary foreign-language teachers to city schools, “conspired” to evade DOE procurement rules.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While one source mentions the SCI report found Graham signed the deal and conspired to split payments, the other provided evidence for this specific claim are irrelevant (microplastics, films, game shows).
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of American films released in 2023. The year featured a diverse array of cinematic productions, ranging from major studio blockbusters to independent and streaming platform rel…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_films_of_2023
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of American films that are scheduled for release in 2027.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_films_of_2027
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Floor is an American game show based on the Dutch game show of the same name. The series is hosted by Rob Lowe and premiered on January 2, 2024, on Fox. Standing in separate LED squares of a floor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Floor_(American_game_show)
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 13: “investigators unearthed a 2024-2025 contract that Kreyling signed with Graham, Samuels’ right hand.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim returned irrelevant information about a children's book series called 'InvestiGators' and private investigators in Oregon/Texas, rather than the specific contract between Kreyling and Graham.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The goofy graphic novel series that follows the super spy alligator duo the InvestiGators as they travel through the sewers and fight the forces of evil.
https://investigatorsbooks.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — John is definitely a multiple New York Times-bestselling human author and not just a bunch of animals in a trench coat pretending to have a human job. With over a million copies of InvestiGators in pr…
https://investigatorsbooks.com/author/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — LJK Investigations is a team of private investigators based in Salem, Oregon, providing confidential investigative services to attorneys, private individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout …
https://www.ljkinvestigations.com/
schedule
Claim 14: “Samuels later terminated the Graham-signed second contract in March 2025 before the full amount had been paid”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 15: “Graham began working at District 3 in September 2022, according to her LinkedIn page.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 16: “A report issued by the Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools left Mayor Mamdani’s hand-picked chancellor entirely unscathed — while his former District 3 deputy, Mariela Graham, took the fall.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources report that the SCI report focused on Mariela Graham and did not mention Samuels' role in the scheme.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A bombshell SCI report found that District 3 Deputy Superintendent Mariela Graham signed the deal with LLN, which was not an approved DOE vendor, and conspired to split payments between two of Kreylin…
https://nypost.com/2026/05/30/us-news/samuels-and-deputys-co…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels is facing mounting scrutiny over allegations he broke contracting rules. The allegations are stirring up a larger debate over how to reform the sprawling schools contr…
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026/06/18/schools-chancel…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The June 2025 SCI report pinned the blame on Kreyling and Samuels’ former Deputy Superintendent, Mariela Graham — who signed a near-identical contract with Kreyling in 2024 — and made no mention of Sa…
https://internewscast.com/news/us/political-pressure-mounts-…
schedule
Claim 17: “SCI also recommended that Kreyling’s firms be prohibited from doing future DOE business.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 18: “in April, Samuels, who was appointed schools boss by Mayor Mamdani in January, rewarded his disgraced underling with a cushy $225,571-a-year gig as senior executive director for strategy at Tweed”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 19: “DOE let her off with a slap on the wrist — two weeks suspension without pay.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching regarding the specific disciplinary action (two-week suspension) taken against Mariela Graham.
schedule
Claim 20: “Kreyling’s companies received 17 purchase orders totaling $365,000 — with $220,000 going to Kreyco and $145,000 going to Reimagine Education Group — beginning in September 23, 2023, according to the SCI.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.