When school officials discovered that more than $1 million was unaccounted for from ETAA Charter School, suspicions of fraud spread through the community. The red flag of illegal activity was raised by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT).
The suggested allegations of wrongdoing actually involved three groups: those benefiting Nicholas Retana, the former director; those benefiting his family members; and individuals unrelated to the Retanas.
The Tribune explored all three groups, beginning with charter school funds used for romantic relationships.