The Trade School in Mesa May Have Been Underpaid Millions in Rent

A shocking revelation has emerged from the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa. The school recently disclosed that it may have been underpaid millions of dollars in rent due to a questionable lease agreement dating back to 2011. This news has prompted the school to notify the FBI and state auditors, raising concerns about financial irregularities.

EVIT, as it is commonly known, is located near Main Street and Alma School Road in Mesa. It is a public trade school that provides career training to both high school students and adults in the area.

The lease agreement in question involved Adelante Healthcare leasing a section of the EVIT campus back in 2011. However, the school has now found that this deal was not approved by the EVIT Governing Board or the voters in the Career Technical Education District, as required by law.

After renegotiating the lease, Adelante ended up paying $60,000 in rent to a third party, with EVIT only receiving $2,700 in return. This amount is significantly lower than the market value, leading to suspicions of underpayment. The identity of the mysterious third party has not been disclosed by EVIT.

According to EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson, no individuals involved in the lease approval are currently employed by the school. The institution has taken a proactive stance by notifying the FBI, state attorney general, and auditors about the lease to address any potential issues.

Dr. Wilson emphasized the school’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stating, “EVIT has not concluded anything nefarious has occurred, but it is our duty to report issues we have concerns with. EVIT is an institution funded by taxpayers, and we must ensure we are good stewards of their investment.”

This recent revelation comes after a state audit prompted an in-depth review of EVIT’s finances, leading to the discovery of the problematic Adelante lease. It is not the first time EVIT has dealt with controversies, as the school had previously taken action regarding concerns about district operations in 2019.

As EVIT continues to address these issues and prioritize transparency, the school is committed to upholding its responsibility to the taxpayers who support its mission of providing quality education and training opportunities.