Web of Influence: Empire of Deceit Series, Book II: An investigation of the Fethullah Gülen charter school network

Following the 2017 publication of the comprehensive book, Empire of Deceit, which exposed the inside operations and numerous unlawful scams of Fethullah Gülen charter school network, Web of Influence picks up to focus on how this mysterious and powerful organization manufactures influence in Washington and beyond. Web of Influence features first-hand testimony from whistleblowers, parents, and former employees of the Gülen schools pointing to coordinated bundling of political donations, illegal foreign trips, false front NGOs, and profound misuse of public funds. Through this investigation, Amsterdam & Partners ultimately uncovered an extensive nationwide network of Gülenists, charter schools, charter management corporations, educational foundations, real estate companies, school vendors, and Gülenist cultural associations working together to exploit the American charter school model to orchestrate large-scale private profit at the public's expense. This abuse negatively impacts the quality of education delivered to some of the country’s most vulnerable communities, and creates a poisonous political environment. What follows are the results of a rigorous examination of public records. These are the facts we must consider, with the hope that a much-needed debate will follow. Read more