Update on Doug Reeves case: Prominent school improvement guru served prison time for securities fraud

Last September I blogged about the distressing news that prominent education author Douglas Reeves, whose work figures prominently in my own teaching and philosophy of school leadership, has been accused of inappropriately touching a child at his home in 2006. 

Reeves was charged and released under several conditions regarding his contact with children.  He has denied the allegations.

I've continued to follow the story through the Swampscott Patch, the newspaper in the Boston suburb of Swampscott, Massachusetts where Reeves used to live, and where the alleged incident took place.  The case has been in limbo for several months while attorneys prepare for a special hearing that will determine if Reeves' prior criminal history will be admissible in this case.

Specifically, the Patch reports that Doug Reeves served five months in prison in 1993 for securities fraud.  It's unclear from the report or records I've reviewed from the internet which of Reeves' business interests were involved in the incidents of fraud, but this Securities and Exchange Commission document suggests a pattern of misappropriating client funds and misleading clients about how their investment money was being used (see page 194 of the 256 page pdf file).

Reeves' next court appearance is scheduled for February 8.

I'll continue to monitor and update readers on this case, which is of great interest to educators who, like me, admire Reeves' work.  

I remain very uncertain about the bearing of this information (and alleged information) on my use of Reeves' books, articles, and ideas in my own teaching and writing.  Clearly the legal process must bear out his guilt or innocence regarding the sex abuse case.  To what extent does his record of fraud in his business dealings influence the usefulness and integrity of his work on education reform, which resonates so powerfully with practicing educators?  These are questions I continue to ponder.

UPDATE, 3/7/2013: Reeves' March 4 court date was postponed; no word yet on a new date.

UPDATE, 6/19/2013: Reeves' case has been postponed numerous times now.  According to the Swampscott Patch, he appeared in court on June 2 but the case was again deferred, with a new date set for June 28.  I'll continue to monitor and post new information as anything significant becomes available.

UPDATE, 7/16/2013: The June 28 hearing was postponed until tomorrow, 7/17/2013.  Story here.

UPDATE, 9/10/2013: Another hearing is set for October 15; unclear at this point what, if anything, took place at the 7/17 hearing.

UPDATE, 10/16/2013: A source close to the case tells me a trial date has been set for January 2014.  Will share more details as soon as they are available.

UPDATE, 1/16/2014: A source who has spoken to officials with Lynn District Court say the trial has been postponed to begin March 27th.

UPDATE, 1/30/2014: The Swampscott Patch reports the trial was rescheduled to begin February 3 and has been moved to a different district court.  More here.

UPDATE, 3/1/2014: A source close to the case tells me that, after multiple delays, the trial is scheduled to begin April 1.  For all future updates check here.

UPDATE, 4/3/2014: A jury found Reeves not guilty today.  More here.

UPDATE, 4/8/2014: Read coverage of the trial and verdict from the Lynn, Massachusetts Daily Item here and here.

UPDATE, 4/16/2014: Read about my interview with Reeves, in which he reflects on the trial and his future, here.

Comments

[Susanne]

anything new?

[Gary Houchens]

No news right now. I haven't been able to determine what happened at the hearing in July - if it took place. Will follow up with my contact in MA and post when I know more.

[Wallace]

Thank you for your updates. I also have admired his work, but am holding off on hiring him for our district until this is resolved. I will mark your page for updates

[D Ray]

Just checking in on this case. Nothing new?

[Gary Houchens]

Waiting to learn more about the July hearing. Next hearing scheduled for October. That's all for now.

[Brandee Barnaby]

I, too, am having some difficulty in wrapping my head around this situation, and how I perceive his credibility to be, at least, stained. Waiting for your next update. Thank you for keeping the education community in the loop.

[Erin]

A couple of comments. I can't help but wonder how Reeves kept his criminal conviction hidden for so long. Regarding the assault charge, I for one, simply don't believe that children make stories like that up. And finally, my husband is an assistant DA and has always said that cases never make it all the way to trial unless the person who was charged actually committed the crime. This entire thing gives me the creeps.

[Stan Scheer]

Doug owned an investment brokerage firm in Cheyenne, Wyo when he was convicted of the fraud charge. There is more to that story in his defense. Those of us who lived in Cheyenne at the time were very aware of the conviction and the circumstances regarding the case. It certainly was not kept secret at the time of the trial and conviction as far as the local press was concerned.

I will continue to believe that Doug is innocent of the charge against
him currently until it is proven otherwise by the legal system. I do appreciate the update.

[Rohondolita]

Erin,

"And finally, my husband is an assistant DA and has always said that cases never make it all the way to trial unless the person who was charged actually committed the crime."

My guess is that your assistant DA husband may have said something other than what you posted. Could it be you are telling us what you heard,as in, your interpretation, rather than what he said?

I'm no attorney, but I KNOW cases make it to trial EVERY DAY with innocent people. DNA tests have shown that some people have spent 30 years in prison, some have even been executed, only to find out that the person was innocent.

Why would we even need trials if what you post is true?

I hope Dr. Reeves is innocent. And if the jury finds him guilty, I will still respect his views on education and how much his work has influenced me as a teacher. I do not believe the fraud charges should have any impact on this trial.

Rhonda

[Mike]

I had a chance to peruse one of Reeves books. A good 90% of his references were to his own previous work. To put it politely, it was incestuous.

[Gary Houchens]

A source close to the case tells me that, after multiple delays, the trial is scheduled to begin April 1, 2014. All future updates will appear here: http://schoolleader.typepad.com/school-leader/2014/01/latest-on-doug-reeves-assault-case.html

[Rhonda Howard]

Erin,
I hope your assistant DA husband, or you, have learned from this... not everybody who gets to trial has committed the crime. Regardless of whether Dr. Reeves was guilty or not, your words (or your husband's words) made no sense... even to a layman.

[Veteran Teacher]

I knew Doug Reeves in Cheyenne and had his son in my Sunday School class. Years later I heard him speak in my local school district here in CA, and was shocked to see him presenting himself as an educator. It is my belief that during his time in Federal prison he internalized the teachings of gurus of the time such as Wiggins and Schmoker. He then used his adroit intelligence to recreate himself. While I appreciate the inherent hope of rehabilitation, as a veteran educator I have always resented the celebrity and wealth he has created without ever spending time as a classroom teacher. He is Robert Preston in the "Music Man", right down to the bow ties.

[Joy Pulver]

Reeves will be speaking at my little high school 5 days (in Falls Village, CT). I can't find a single word of biography before his first book, not even on his own bio page. The book I looked inside on amazon showed 'about the author' as being first, but it isn't there either.

[Lisa]

I was sad to read this post but am also relieved to hear of them finding him innocent of the crime above. Although I was not aware of his securities charge, I also believe that he has grown from this incident and moved past this, and should be given a second chance. The work that he has done for education has impacted me immensely as a teacher and I think he will continue to do so. Dr. Reeves is for me one of the most humble, generous, and kind educators I have met. He meets with a group of writers like myself on a regular basis, and in the meetings he hosts, he is always encouraging us to share our work, books we've read and provides invaluable feedback to help with its improvement. In addition to this, he will also invite special guests such as publishers and authors of books on education as guest speakers to help us grow as individuals in our fields. He genuinely wants us to grow and is always keen to celebrate the successes of our work, no matter how small it may seem.