News Summary
Devon Horton, ex-Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie District 65, faces 17 federal charges including wire fraud and embezzlement. The indictment alleges Horton defrauded the school district and Chicago Public Schools of about $293,500 through a kickback scheme involving fraudulent contracts. Misuse of a district purchasing card for personal expenses is also cited. The incident raises concerns about financial management within the district, particularly regarding potential school closures. Community leaders call for transparency as the district grapples with these serious allegations and ongoing financial challenges.
Evanston, Illinois – Devon Horton, the former Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie District 65, has been indicted on 17 counts of federal charges that include wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax fraud. The indictment alleges that Horton was involved in a scheme that defrauded both District 65 and the Chicago Public Schools, resulting in losses of approximately $293,500.
According to the federal indictment, Horton, who served as superintendent from June 2020 to June 2023, received over $80,000 in kickbacks. He and three associates—Antonio Ross, Alfonzo Lewis, and Samuel Ross—are accused of orchestrating fraudulent contracts for various services, including leadership coaching and facilities security, which were paid for by the school district.
In addition to the alleged kickbacks, Horton has been accused of misusing a district-issued purchasing card to cover personal expenses, totaling more than $30,000. The serious nature of the charges carries the potential for significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and fines for tax evasion.
The U.S. Department of Education had been conducting an investigation into Horton for over two years leading up to the indictment, which has caused significant concern among community members and stakeholders in the school district.
In response to the allegations and the indictment, District 65 Board President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard expressed feelings of deep trouble and anger. The district has already taken action by implementing new safeguards designed to prevent incidents of mismanagement concerning contracts and purchasing cards, following Horton’s departure.
As the investigation unfolds, community members have begun to raise concerns about the potential impact on local schools, particularly regarding the possibility of school closures amidst financial challenges faced by the district. District 65 is aiming to cut up to $15 million in expenses, with discussions ongoing about which schools might close. During recent community forums, residents have emphasized the need for transparency in the decision-making process related to school closures.
The concerns were echoed by Christie Norrick, the PTA President of Washington Elementary School, who articulated that the indictment has triggered suspicion among parents about the school closure process. Norrick argued that the district should provide more comprehensive data to support any decisions about closures and proposed that no more than two schools should close simultaneously.
As part of the ongoing discussions, public input sessions and a school board meeting have been scheduled, with an important vote on potential school closures expected to take place on November 17.
Following his tenure at Evanston/Skokie District 65, Horton was hired as superintendent in DeKalb County, Georgia. However, following the indictment, he has been placed on paid administrative leave. The allegations against him highlight a severe breach of trust that current school board leaders have noted as particularly troubling.
The legal proceedings surrounding Horton and the reactions from District 65 reflect a significant moment for the school community, which is grappling not only with the fallout of these allegations but also with the broader implications for district stability and educational governance in Evanston.
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Additional Resources
- Evanston RoundTable
- Chicago Tribune
- Daily Northwestern
- ABC 7 Chicago
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Devon Horton indictment
- Google Scholar: educational institution governance
- Encyclopedia Britannica: embezzlement
- Google News: Evanston District 65 scandal
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