and Jaguars in the parking lot.” she says, “I walk in and see men in the halls wearing custom-made suits.” A career educator. “I was absolutely amazed at the number of Cadillacs. THE FIRST TIME SHE STEERED HER SILVER HONDA INTO THE parking lot of DISD’s headquarters, Gonzalez was startled. And Harden knew that unless he got rid of Gonzalez, it was all about to end. For years, his position allowed him to cement his stature in the black community by controlling jobs, contracts, and other deals.
Harden controlled how every single dollar was spent in D1SD. It was all about green: money, and lots of it.Īs CFO of a SI billion corporation. The district was bleeding money, and investigative trails ultimately led back to Matthew Harden.Ĭontrary to the rumors and headlines and lawsuit allegations, none of this had anything to do with sex or about being black, white, or brown. The revelations connected Harden’s division with fraud, contract shenanigans, misuse of purchase orders and payment vouchers, as well as the disappearance of inventory. Ever since Gonzalez had moved the district auditors out from under Harden’s control, devastating evidence of corruption had tumbled out. Tender feelings aside, she knew he had to go. But her reply was-and it would soon become humiliating ammunition in their pitched battle for control of the Dallas Public Schools. The quiet murmur Gonzalez says she heard was not picked up on the tape. In Harden’s pocket was a tiny tape recorder. If things were different, I’d marry you.”
Tower of trample yvonne full#
“I love you.” Gonzalez, weary of the long conflict between them, but still full of affection for the man.
When he and Gonzalez were alone, she says, he moved close to her, leaned over, and whispered in her ear. Gonzalez hesitated, and Harden asked the others if they’d leave the room. Just let him get through that interview, and he would resign by the end of the month. He had been offered a private sector job in Seattle, he said, and the CEO was flying to Dallas to talk with him. This encounter was supposed to finalize Harden’s departure.
20 they gathered in a nondescript conference room to discuss Yvonne Gonzalez’s demand that Matthew Harden resign his job as chief financial officer of the Dallas Independent School District. SHE CALLED THE M EET1NG AFTER WEEKS OF TEN-sion.