Philadelphia charter school officials pleaded Fifth 77 times

PHILADELPHIA Officials from an embattled Philadelphia charter school invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 77 times at hearings on the future of its charter.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday that administrators from the Walter Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School refused to answer questions on topics ranging from qualifications to the accuracy of invoices.

Last week's hearings were part of the Philadelphia school district's fight to revoke Walter Palmer's charter amid academic and financial stability concerns. The school's also the subject of a federal investigation.

A court recently ordered the school to return $1.5 million to the district after finding it enrolled twice the number of students allowed.

Walter Palmer shut down its high school last month in the city's Frankford neighborhood, forcing 280 students to enroll in other institutions.

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Philadelphia charter school officials pleaded Fifth 77 times