The FUSE (Family Urban Schools of Excellence) charter organization was shaken by two high-level resignations, following the departure of its CEO Michael Sharpe. Sharpe quit after the press revealed that he had served time in prison and had used the title “Dr.” Though he had never earned a doctorate.

The Hartford Courant asked for information about FUSE’s finances, but got no response. FUSE runs three Jumoke charter schools and in April received permission to open a new charter in New Haven. It has also been authorized to open one or more charters in Louisiana. The Jumoke charter schools have received $53 million in public funds since 1998.

The Courant said:

“Charter schools are classified as public agencies under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. Public agencies are obligated by law to supply information and documents upon request in the same way that town and city school systems must do.

“Information that FUSE has declined to provide to The Courant this week includes:

•Whether Sharpe will receive a pension or other retirement benefits after leaving the top job that he said paid him $180,000 a year.

•A list of its employees and their salaries, which a public relations representative for the group said was “private information.”

•Any resume that Sharpe might have submitted, which could show what FUSE’s board of directors knew about his background and academic credentials when he was hired as CEO.

•Terms of a lease that Sharpe said he has for an apartment he’s been living in for “about $1,000″ a month at 852 Asylum Ave. in Hartford, a building owned by the Jumoke Academy charter schools organization in Hartford. Those schools are managed by FUSE.”

FUSE declined to provide any of this information. “FUSE has been saying this week that it is a private organization, distinct from the actual Jumoke charter schools.”