Harambee charter CEO to surrender to federal authorities

West Philadelphia charter school chief executive Masai Skief has agreed to turn himself over to federal authorities this week while he waits sentencing on embezzlement charges.

Skief, 32, CEO of the Harambee Institute of Science Technology Charter School, said in court papers filed Monday that he would not dispute federal prosecutors' allegations he had used a debit card to steal money from Harambee after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in August.

Prosectors asked a federal judge last week to revoke Skief's bail because he had violated his plea agreement, which barred him from having access to Harambee funds.

Skief agreed to be placed in custody, pending his sentencing hearing Jan. 22 on two counts of wire fraud in connection with embezzling $88,000 from the charter and the related nonprofit, Harambee Institute.

Skief asked U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond to give him until noon on Thursday to surrender.

The judge has not ruled.

martha.woodall@phillynews.com 215-854-2789