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Paul Vallas -- now running for Lt. Governor of Illinois -- appears to have fabricated claims on behalf of a now-defunct nonprofit that since November 2006 has been the subject of dozens of media exposes all over the country.
SALF went belly-up in 2009, but reportedly has been under investigation by the Illinois Attorney General since 2010.
Via Illinois senator seeks answers on possible $9 million misappropriation -- Lawmaker says the state attorney general's office is not responding to his requests for updates on the investigation into a nonprofit's activities by Erin Murphy, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, June 26, 2013:
Since its establishment in 1993, the (nonprofit Save-A-Life Foundation) pledged to teach school children first aid and emergency response practices. Despite receiving nearly $9 million to fund the program, however, very few records of students being taught have been found.Via the Chicago Tribune:
(Carol) Spizzirri launched a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching children emergency response techniques, raising at least $8.6 million in federal and state grants for her Save-A-Life Foundation (SALF)...(Spizzirri) estimates 2 million children took the classes, many of them from the Chicago Public Schools.However, in response to a federal court subpoena (submitted by my attorney during the course of a failed nuisance lawsuit filed by SALF against me and two others) and my multiple FOIA requests, the Chicago Public Schools cannot produce a single training record.
Since the fur started flying
Since November 2006, SALF and Spizzirri have been the subject of dozens of media exposes. Via Where Did the Save-A-Life Money Go by Don Bauder, San Diego Reader that revealed her to be a serial fabricator, a twice-convicted shoplifter, and the subject of abuse allegations
In 1997 I brought SALF to the children of the Chicago Public School system to teach Life Supporting First Aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver and the results were positive beyond expectations. I look forward to working with you and SALF to bring this empowering program to the Commonwealth and I am happy to assist in any way I can." - Paul G. Vallas, CEO, Philadelphia Schools, August 12, 2003 (source)
Vallas's PSA for SALF claiming "the Save-A-Life Foundation has trained over 400,000 Illinois children and adults in the lifesaving skills of first aid, CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver and they can train you."
Your organization is an excellent example of how involvement in education can truly make a difference. Our students and teachers have been and will continue to be the recipients of the benefits of that involvement which includes exposure to new technology and AED training. On behalf of the students and teachers of the Chicago Public Schools, and the people whose lives they may help to save, I again thank you. We look forward to continuing this exceptional partnership. PS I love receiving all the thank you letters from children SALF trains. - Paul G. Vallas, CEO, Chicago Public Schools (source)
Paul Vallas's approval of Save-A-Life program touted to Philadelphia Schools by SALF, four months after ABC7 Chicago exposed SALF frauds (page down); note bogus training claims.
Paul Vallas approval of Save-A-Life touted to Philly by SALF, bogus training numbers, 3/16/07
(7:35) Gery Chico: "How many schools have you said that you've been in with this program?"
Carol J. Spizzirri: "I think we've been in a dozen we've completed."
Chico: "What's it cost?"
Spizzirri: "It's at 75 cents a child. Except it's a dollar for the instructor."