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Title: Lone Texas Representative Stands For Oversight & Accountability for Charter Schools
Published: 2017-12-19
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70CJH5dLMM
Title: Lone Texas Representative Stands For Oversight & Accountability for Charter Schools
Published: 2017-12-19
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70CJH5dLMM
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This is the statement we found because we kept saying there must be some people who have seen these reports, they have looked into it or they asked for further investigation and the only person we found has been you. And with this quote, and you have stated if the facts are correct, Texas taxpayers are in fact in danger and our education system not to mention the safety2/78
of our citizens seems to be in peril. And this was in reference to the Gullam Network. We have had teachers, some of them have come here with the work visa from Turkey, a few whistleblowers who have contacted us. They contacted me in 2008 with my organization for whistleblowers, but they said they were very scared to come forward with their names because then their families back home3/78
in Turkey, they would be placed in danger because they had a lot of power. Gullam Network, but despite the fact that they went to the FBI and I know these for the facts, they provided documentation how they were being extorted, paying half of the money they were receiving from the states, whether here in Texas or elsewhere, contributed to various questionable NGOs around the world, some of4/78
them in Indonesia, etc. Nothing has been done. Despite the fact some of these schools have been rated, when we contact the FBI, they still stay after 10 years for some cases still is under investigation. And then as to leave several states. Yes. In fact, here are some interesting facts. Russia banned them. Gullam charter schools in Russia. They don't have exact the same charter school system and5/78
they said they are illegalized, they have found the shady activities, money laundering, etc. Six months ago Pakistan. And Pakistan is famous for their mudrasses. And Pakistan banned them and categorized them as extremists. And they shut down the schools and they kicked out the entire network from Pakistan. And it's mind boggling. They are operating here in the United States with very little oversight. The network itself, their6/78
value is placed somewhere between $25 billion and $50 billion. You've been in the Olympic building down in Houston? Oh yes. Absolutely. And because of the money and the power that money brings and the PR network that they have put together, nobody is doing their jobs. And this goes from the executive branch to the legislative branch. And again, finding you standing up here in Texas and saying7/78
this, we said we need to talk with you. First of all, we wanted to really express our appreciation, praise you saying this is a courageous act when knowing that you are the lone voice here, trying to bring the attention to the public. It's had its consequences. House. Oh, I don't want to go into all that. Well, this is the case. This has been the case everywhere8/78
in all the states. Oh, yeah. Listen, when we started out on this, it was concerning to me because I'm a former banker. I believe in a lot of oversight regulations. Sure. And I support charter schools. But only if they are subject to the very same accountability that our public schools are. It concerned me when I got into looking into this that the first thing I heard9/78
was that they had brought people from Turkey to construct their buildings. I thought, well, if they're coming over here, why don't our people do the construction? Then I heard that there was a carpenter that came here to teach American history. That bothered me a little bit too. So that's when we started going to the education agency and asked them and we listed out a number of10/78
things that concerned us. And they came right back and said that we've investigated it and everything's okay. I continued to get a lot of feedback from people around the state and particularly in my district. And it concerned me. So I went back to them and I asked them, I said, maybe you need to do further investigation. I'm an old bank examiner. I believe in regulation. And11/78
they said no. They felt that they had done sufficient job. So then I went to our Texas Rangers and also other law enforcement because I felt like there were too many issues, too many unanswered questions. And I felt like that it needed to be investigated. It concerned me that we were given a lot of money. For a minimum amount of money. The accountability of all that12/78
money, these are tax payers money. And I did not see the accountability that I felt like it was very necessary for them to spend the kind of money that we do. It's a big number. And then I found out that some of my friends and colleagues that were supportive, the reasoning was that they had the highest rating that you could have. Well when I found out13/78
who was the rating, they were rating themselves. Well, I'm pretty good when I rate myself. But anyway, it's one of those things that I kept going back. We don't have accountability and yet that's money that's coming out of the taxpayers' hands. And we're allowing them to compete. And you're again, I'm in favor of charter schools, but I want accountability. And I did not feel like they14/78
were being said to the same accountability as our private schools. And then on an international front, I got very concerned because I have from a military standpoint and from the legislative. I've served on committees that would require me to move out and be involved. And whenever I would go to another country, just as a matter of curiosity, I would ask them about the people that are15/78
running harmony schools. And there was great concern on the part of all of them. I did not find one country that was supportive. When I came, I went to Turkey on a different reason because I was a chairman of the military task force and on the board of the National Conference of State Legislators. While I was there, I met some folks and it concerned me because16/78
I felt like that there was a lot of unanswered questions that were coming out of Turkey. When I got back to the States, there were several that kind of following me. And I got up with them in Cleveland, Ohio. And they wanted to talk and at the time I didn't feel appropriate to be because I was there on another mission. I went to Chicago a few17/78
months later and they tracked me down to my hotel there. And I was the same thing. I was involved with something else and I didn't have really, I was concerned enough that I just didn't want to get involved with that outside of the state. Then I came back home and I lived in a rural area and I got a phone call one Saturday asking me where18/78
my office is and they had the address. Is he still there? And I said, yes, we'll be there at noon. And so I went down, talked to very nice people, very, very, very cordial. They had tremendous testimonies about young people that go to the school and how well they've done and they even had someone there whose children were going to the school and they were very19/78
complimentary. They've invited me to their school on many occasions. I told them I wasn't interested in coming at their invitation but I might drop in and I haven't worked that out yet because I'm not on the education committee. I'm in pensions and I'm in military issues and I do a lot of stuff on our border. And I was seeing some overlapping things that would bother me.20/78
And you know, in the legislature you put your hand on the Bible and you swear to uphold all the laws of the state of Texas and I was feeling that there was something that I was uneasy about. They've hired some very well-regarded lobbyists that represent them. People that are elected to look after our education system are very complimentary of them. They've invited some of my colleagues21/78
over to Turkey to spend time and get the tour. I turned that down always. I did not feel like it was something that I would be comfortable with at all. I've been to Turkey but it was as a member of the National Conference of State Legislature Wars and I went as a committee chairman and it was interesting to see what was happening in Turkey. There's certainly22/78
unrest there. There's the international challenges that you're seeing because they're close relationship with other countries that are not necessarily friendly to the U.S. and we had many meetings with parliament and many meetings with some of their media people. And every time I would mention this I would get a lot of concern. So I came back not feeling comfortable and again saying, you know, if a state23/78
of Texas is putting money in it, we need to know more. And that's why I went and I've asked the investigative authorities to look into it. But here again, I've got some people that are, and they're friends, they're people that I know. And they believe that they're doing a good job in educating the children that they educate. I'm not convinced at that. Certainly they've come to24/78
my office and they've told me and they're very interested in making friends. Turkey's been an ally of ours since the 1800s. There are dear friends and I'm not interested in creating any kind of issue that would create a problem there. But on the other hand, I don't see a lot of support for harmony schools. How do Turkey? No, they have requested, they have provided, they have25/78
been providing documents to get Betulak Yulane extradited back to Turkey. And Amsterdam Group, they have been supplying the Justice Department, the State Department with all this documented information. For a brief period, I worked for the FBI with top secret clearance and above right after 9-11, this was 16 years ago. And because you just mentioned that it has come with these consequences speaking up. And I took26/78
my oath, citizenship oaths seriously as well. And after I witnessed certain things, I went to the appropriate congressional committee. I went to the Senate Judiciary Committee, met at the time with Senator Grassley and Senator Leahy. They formed a bipartisan task force to investigate. And this is 2001-2002. And then I was slapped with several gagoters and my case was stopped at the Supreme Court. They were saying27/78
what she is saying is maybe true, but she can't say it because everything about what she knows is classified. And this was okay, this was in your role as a FBI investigator? Analyst. I was an analyst at work with very good agents. They were very frustrated because they had accumulated more than enough evidence on Gulans network in the United States back then in 2002 to go28/78
to court. But instead of that taking place because of pressure from above, that was pushed into counterintelligence, meaning you can only listen to Pfizer, but you can't do take action. Even though it involved U.S. interests or operations against the United States interest, even though it involved high-level people in various government agencies, federal government who had been, they called it the hooking process. It starts with those29/78
nice meetings taking to Turkey, five-star hotel. There may be a little gift to your spouse. They may be a cushy job for your son. And then they come and they ask for uncomfortable favors. And when you say no, then you start receiving blackmail. And it has been working. And their financial hub for the laundering operations is and has been Chicago. Illinois, they have everyone in Illinois.30/78
Now, you're verifying some of the things that I've learned. And it's very concerning to me because this is the last session. We approved funding for facilities for all charter schools. But I know they're going to get their portion. And I haven't run that down. But it is a group that I think is worthy of more understanding and more regulation and one that I'm not comfortable with31/78
what I know about them. Well, now here is where we keep coming to. We stopped by the Education Commissioner's office. We talked with one of his assistants and he said, well, to investigate this is not our jurisdiction. It needs to be Texas Rangers. Then you go to them and they say it's Congress. Then they say it's the governor or the lieutenant governor's office. And you keep32/78
making circles about who, who, as far as, you know, we have some concerned parents. And then they call and they ask us and they say, okay, who do we go and demand and ask for investigation more oversight? More oversight? That's all they are asking. It's our kids' education. More oversight. This is our taxpayers' money. Where should they go? Should they put the priority on Congress or33/78
should they put it under the Department of Education, Lieutenant Governor's or Governor's Office? Where should they go? Well, it's kind of, this is sort of a theory that I always operated under when I was a bank examiner. If I don't know about it, I'm not really responsible. But once I learned about it, then I owned some of the responsibility and that's why I felt like it34/78
was my responsibility to stand up. And I've talked to my colleagues on the House floor, some of them. They're just not convinced. And when I tell them about what's happening in other states, it peaks their interests. And when I went to talk to the investigative authorities, I was encouraged that they are doing investigation. Now. It's. Now, that is a long, drawn out process. I know that.35/78
And you yourself have mentioned how long you've been kind of chasing. But if you tell me- But if you tell me- Then nobody had heard of you, then. Yeah, I know. In 2002, I was a lone voice. People would say, what are you talking about? I'm saying this man is establishing these underground ways- Now, when you say this man, you tell me Mr. Goulain. Yes. And36/78
his net worth, which are all kind of- Oh, he has nothing to do with Hermes. Oh, absolutely not. They've told me that. Absolutely nothing. In fact, they qualified by saying he has nothing really formal or legally to do with Hermes schools. I know it's kind of an interesting coincidence for us because your last name is Flynn and it's the same exact spelling as Lieutenant General Flynn.37/78
No. And- And I am a general. You are. It's my car right there. Oh, well- Right here. That red flag. See. But I'm the little general. He's the big general. Well, what happened with him- I know. He was made an example. He wrote this amazing article- I know. And we have been the only news organization. And by that, I mean the only news organization. I have38/78
been in touch with people intimately associated with the case. It's- they made him an example. And all he did, and it was very courageous, he actually stood up and said it. And- And- And he's been paying the price for that. And I know director Mueller's scope of investigation is supposed to be the russia gate and whatever they are calling it. But the main focus to squeeze39/78
ended up being all the stuff with- I don't- I don't know General Flynn. Who you're talking about? Honorable. Honorable. Honorable. Honorable family. And- And- And- And we're not related in any way. Okay. Well, Flynn must have been Irish name. It was kind of a- you know, it was- it was- it- certainly been interesting to me because of the- of the name. But I've also, you know,40/78
I've spent many, many years in military. And- so I have a knowledge of- of what I believe him to be an honorable man. And- and it's- it's been disappointing to me that he has been treated. Yes. On the other hand, there are certain criteria in- in- in government, particularly if- if you're having to admit to something that is- not legal, you can lie, then it- it41/78
hurts your credibility. And that's a shame. Because he had very distinguished service for me- I know that I've been able to gather- I've never been ready. So I- I don't know that I- And his brother, he's a great general as well, impeccable record. The whole family, he's coming from a very hard-working- I was real surprised when I found out of his connection with Turkey. Because I42/78
didn't know it when I got into this. It was- it was kind of interesting. Of course, my colleagues- my colleagues on the floor, they- they know my concern and- and my- and it- it's become a passion to me. Because I just see that there's- there's something out there that haven't been able to put my hand on, but I'm very uncomfortable with floor- Is that- that's failing.43/78
That's right. And- and- and when you feel that, I guess it goes back to that what I told you, I- I'm- I'm a bank examiner and, you know, I- I used to- uh, the examiner banks and- and- and when you examine banks, uh, everything's not always as it appears when you walk in the door. Yes. But- but then when you get into looking at things, it's44/78
amazing out. It's kind of like the- the example you use the onion, you start peeling it back and- and uh, when there's- when that concern is there, um, you're not doing your duty and your responsibility or your- your sacred honor if you don't follow up on it. And that's why I've stayed involved. And there are some amazing- people who have been given up on active, truly45/78
active citizenry. And if- and they are, they have been- and they are going to ask us, and the people that they believe to be experts on this issue from whatever angle as they- where should we focus in terms of filing, um, request demands of investigations, oversight, true oversight? Because after all, it's our tax money. It's our hard- earned tax money. Where should they start? Congress? Well,46/78
when you say Congress, start about the United States Congress. Talk about- in Texas. Okay. In Texas, in Texas, it's- it's the legislature. And- and that's- that's why I feel an obligation to be involved. And- and at this particular point, um, I haven't received a lot of support. I have not gone to our authorities, our- our- our top three statewide officials because I'm not comfortable that I47/78
have, uh, uh, the answers that they would be asking. And- and that's why I can go directly to investigative authorities and- and, uh, when I've gone to them in their cursive reviews, uh, I've been told that I'm on the right target. How about, uh, congressional subpoenas investigative bodies within Congress? Like I went through that inside the skip. I know there will be maybe two, they have48/78
already retired FBI agents. They have their retirement. They have never blown the whistle. I know if they were subpoenaed by any congressional or court parties, they would tell the truth. Because again, they're honorable men. Um, there are some teachers with information who would provide willingly on their own to any kind of congressional investigative bodies. Uh, there- there- there are- there are people who would- I think49/78
so too. I don't know. Because they- they come, uh, but the- the- the problem has been they don't have the, uh, verifiable evidence. Have you watched killing at the documentary that- I haven't seen it, but I had someone tell me about it. I- I really recommend watching this documentary. It took Mark as half five years to make it. And it was 100 percent, and he's an50/78
award-winning multi-war-winning, uh, filmmaker, Basin Austin Texas. Uh, he- it's based on facts, documented facts, witnesses. It's- it's a good starting point. I know a year and a half ago, they had their screening. I don't know. I- I think I have a trailer, uh, copy. Uh, I would encourage people who are not familiar to watch it, including yourself. And uh, today, several active citizens, they came and51/78
they said they went and they met with their own districts, representatives, and asked them to look into it. And that helps because, unfortunately, their influence with media has been- The public, you know, it's- it's, uh, it's like anything that comes up, it's all about education. And- and you have to have, you know, you can- you can throw out a lot of- I can- I can- I52/78
can scare someone that- just the knowledge that I have, uh, if I- but I want to have facts and- and- and to just throw out statements, it's not what I want to do. Uh, I want- I want to- I want to gather facts. And that's why I ask in the written letters to be able to- and- and like I said, I've been, um, encouraged when they53/78
tell me that, uh, they're- they're going forward. And because I- you know, it- it concerns me that other states have asked them to leave. And yet we're encouraging them. And- and I look at the dollars that are going in there and- and- and- and, you know, public education is the, um, second largest item in our budget. It used to be the first, but healthcare is kind54/78
of moving it out. Uh, they're- they're pretty even right now. In fact, 80% of the state- Texas budget is healthcare and education. So we, uh, I believe that's pretty close to the accurate. Anyway, I- I- I just see that, uh, I would rather it go into our accountability of public education as opposed to the charter school that I'm not comfortable with. Because it seems like you55/78
just can't- can't get comfortable when you ask questions. And- and when I talk to other people who have visited with, uh, uh, uh, the head and they say, no, we don't- that's- he's not involved with this. And yet everything leads back to him. And- and I mean, uh, that's not just from, uh, what I've heard here, like I told you, I've done, uh, international travel and-56/78
and I've made a point, uh, whatever I had an opportunity to ask and to- to throw the names out. And- and it's, um, if- if there are always a concern of the individual I'm talking to, and, uh, that being the case, then, you know, I- it's kind of a cliche and I hate to use it, but if there's a lot of smoke, there might be some57/78
bars. And there's a tremendous amount of smoke. And I'll say, as far as the committees are concerned, the focus should be for the citizens, uh, residents of, uh, uh, state of Texas committees, education subcommittee, which ones would you say the top three committees to- to go with it and- and, and, uh, request investigations? Uh, the committees now, if- if- if the good people in my district