The superintendent of Georgia’s third-largest school district has been indicted on federal charges, alleging he orchestrated a kickback scheme and misused public funds during his previous role at a suburban Chicago district.
A federal grand jury in Chicago recently indicted Devon Horton, the current superintendent of the 93,000-student DeKalb County School District, on 17 counts. These include serious allegations of wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion, as reported by the Associated Press.
Prosecutors allege that between 2020 and 2023, while he was superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District 65 (which serves approximately 5,800 K-8 students), Horton awarded over $280,000 in contracts to businesses connected to three associates. In return, he allegedly received more than $80,000 in kickbacks.
A Web of Deceit: Contracts and Kickbacks
The indictment also implicates Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross, and Alfonzo Lewis as co-defendants. Authorities claim these four individuals established shell companies that billed both the Evanston-Skokie and Chicago school districts for services that were never actually provided, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer fraud.
For example, prosecutors detail how Antonio Ross, who was then the principal of Chicago’s Hyde Park Academy High School, allegedly issued a fraudulent $10,000 contract to an entity controlled by Horton. It’s reported that Horton later tried to bring Ross into the DeKalb district, but Ross declined due to scrutiny over their previous business dealings.
Immediate Fallout: District Response and Suspension
Upon receiving news of the indictment, the DeKalb County school board quickly convened an emergency session. They voted to suspend Horton with pay and appointed Norman Sauce, the district’s Chief of Student Services, as the acting superintendent.
Board Chairperson Deirdre Pierce assured the public that district operations would “continue as normal,” emphasizing the board’s dedication to delivering “a safe, supportive, and high-quality educational experience for every student,” as noted by the Associated Press.
Notably, just in July, the DeKalb board had extended Horton’s contract through 2028, increasing his annual salary to $360,000.
Beyond Kickbacks: Allegations of Public Fund Misuse
In addition to the alleged kickback scheme, Horton faces accusations of misusing his district-issued purchasing card for personal expenses. These include meals, travel, and gift cards, totaling over $30,000 in unauthorized spending between 2022 and 2023.
Furthermore, he is charged with failing to accurately report these illicit payments and personal expenditures on his federal income tax returns. Prosecutors warn that, if convicted, the magnitude of the alleged embezzlement combined with Horton’s position as a public official could lead to a prison sentence of over ten years. Federal authorities are also pursuing the forfeiture of all funds linked to these alleged crimes.
Defense and Previous Connections
Terry Campbell, Horton’s attorney, stated to the Associated Press that his client is “eager to address his case in court.” Campbell underscored that the charges relate to “conduct that is several years old” and “have nothing whatsoever to do with his very successful work on behalf of the students, families, and teachers in DeKalb County.”
Campbell also highlighted that under Horton’s leadership, the DeKalb district had shown improvements in attendance, graduation rates, and overall academic performance.
The indictment further reveals that the DeKalb district employed several individuals who had previously worked with Horton in Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky, pointing to his extensive professional network across various school systems.
Evanston-Skokie School District’s Reaction
In a joint statement, leaders of the Evanston-Skokie School District confirmed their prior awareness of the federal investigation, stating they had “fully supported the process” at the request of federal authorities.
The district leaders expressed being “deeply troubled and angered by these allegations,” according to the Associated Press.
If found guilty, Horton and his co-defendants could face significant prison sentences and hefty financial penalties, in what stands as a notable and impactful federal case targeting high-ranking K-12 administrators.