Reference

The departure of Ben Chavis in 2012 was primarily due to allegations of financial mismanagement at the American Indian Public Charter School, where he served as founder and principal. A report by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team accused Chavis of misusing school funds, which led to his firing. Additionally, Chavis had a history of legal issues, including being one of the Wilmington Ten, a group of civil rights activists who were wrongfully convicted in the 1970s. However, these convictions were later pardoned in 2012 by North Carolina's governor, Beverly Perdue. While Chavis's tenure at the American Indian Public Charter School was marked by academic success, the financial mismanagement allegations and his legal history likely contributed to his departure.