By Mary O’KEEFE

Recently, allegations regarding a misappropriation of union funds were made against Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) board of education candidate Telly Tse by two teachers who were former members of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA).

The allegations were first brought to the forefront by an article in the Beverly Hills Weekly, and then at a GUSD district candidate forum by Jordan Henry, who is competing against Tse for a seat on the school board Area A.

Amy Arebalo and Judith Chan, who made the allegations, were members of the BHEA but are no longer members of that union. When Chan became treasurer of the union she questioned some expenditures made by Tse and other members of the board during the time Tse was president.

In an interview with CVW, Chan said she went to the BHEA board with her concerns; however, she felt the union did not take her concerns seriously. So, without the knowledge of BHEA, she took her findings to the California Teachers Association (CTA). The allegations were investigated and the CTA found there was no ill intent from anyone involved. In addition, the BHEA is audited by an outside firm annually and that firm did not find any wrongdoing as well.

A person familiar with the allegations who wanted to remain anonymous due to concerns for their safety and harassment spoke with CVW. The source repeated there was no ill intent found in the investigation regarding this matter and felt any inconsistencies that were found were not outlined clearly in the bylaws. Any discrepancies were taken care of by Tse immediately. After the investigation, the union began to work on cleaning up the bylaws.

“Once everything was resolved a bylaws committee was formed,” the source said.

The bylaws committee worked on the areas that needed to be clarified.

“I don’t understand why [the Tse issue] is coming out again. It has all been resolved, the bylaws have been taken care of and every issue was addressed. It sounds like sour grapes,” the source said.

Arebalo and Chan disagreed with the findings of the agencies and did go to law enforcement with their findings. Chan said they were told there would not be an investigation.

“The officer told us to go to the press,” Chan said.

According to Chan, they went to another media outlet but the story was not picked up until Beverly Hills Weekly printed it. This is why, according to Arebalo and Chan, the timing may seem suspicious – the article was released the day of the GUSD forum – but that was not their intent, Chan and Arebalo added.

There may seem to be some additional questions as to motive after a mailer from Henry’s campaign was received by many in the GUSD Trustee Area A where Chan was quoted as a former colleague of Tse.

When CVW brought this to Chan’s attention she was surprised and said she did not support Henry and did not know her quote was being used. Arebalo echoed that she did not support Henry, either. Both denied they had any political motivation, but continue to disagree with the investigation findings.

Tse denied all the allegations. He served as BHEA president from 2014 to 2018. He did wonder about the timing and motive of the article. Tse pointed out that neither he nor the BHEA board members were disciplined.

He remains in good standing with BHEA and CTA. He is now teaching in Beverly Hills.

Tse added that decisions made during his time as president were voted on by the executive board of the union.

The Glendale Teachers Association has endorsed Tse.