Quantcast

North Cook News

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Former District 65 superintendent Devon Horton indicted in $293K kickback scheme

Webp horton

Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton was indicted on 17 federal counts for a kickback scheme that defrauded the district of over $293,500 through sham contracts with companies owned by his associates. | Facebook / Allyson Gevertz for DeKalb Schools

Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton was indicted on 17 federal counts for a kickback scheme that defrauded the district of over $293,500 through sham contracts with companies owned by his associates. | Facebook / Allyson Gevertz for DeKalb Schools

A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton on 17 counts alleging he orchestrated a kickback scheme that defrauded the district of more than $293,500 through contracts awarded to companies owned by close associates.

Horton, who has served as superintendent of Georgia's DeKalb County School District since 2023, was placed on administrative leave last week following the charges. 

The indictment outlines alleged acts of wire fraud, honest services fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion. It also names three co-defendants: Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross and Alfonzo Lewis, all longtime associates of Horton, accused of funneling illicit payments to him through sham vendors.

Prosecutors say Horton used his authority at District 65 between June 2020 and June 2023 to approve no-bid contracts, falsify invoices and channel funds through shell companies. Horton allegedly received about $81,700 in kickbacks from District 65-related contracts, plus $10,000 from a separate arrangement at Chicago Public Schools, where Ross served as a principal.

He also faces two counts of tax evasion for failing to report the income on his 2022 and 2023 federal tax returns.

The 37-page indictment alleges Horton and his co-defendants formed and used companies — Connecting the Dots, Asset Protection and New Flight 35 — to obtain professional service contracts and conceal financial ties.

According to the document, Horton bypassed board review by structuring contracts to avoid scrutiny and approved fraudulent invoices for services that were not performed. Payments from the district were then partially returned to Horton, sometimes through a relative referred to as “Individual A.”

The indictment states that Connecting the Dots, owned by Antonio Ross, received $139,500 in contracts, with $41,900 allegedly paid back to Horton. Asset Protection, owned by Samuel Ross, received $119,500 and paid $30,800 in kickbacks. New Flight 35, operated by Alfonzo Lewis, received $24,500, with $9,000 allegedly returned to Horton.

A separate scheme involved a $10,000 CPS contract awarded to Horton’s consulting firm, Altering the Education, using fake invoices for services not rendered. Horton did not disclose this outside income to District 65, as required by his employment contract.

Counts Two through Thirteen outline specific wire transfers, including a $4,000 payment from Ross to Horton and a $17,250 district payment to Asset Protection. Counts Fourteen and Fifteen accuse Horton of embezzling public funds by using a district-issued procurement card for more than $30,000 in personal expenses, including meals, travel, gift cards and vehicle repairs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is seeking up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, along with fines and full restitution.

Horton’s tenure at District 65 drew scrutiny prior to the indictment. He was hired in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced criticism for several personnel and spending decisions. The teachers union publicly condemned what it called a “toxic work environment,” and records show spending on private security and personal expenses.

In 2022, reporting by FOIA Gras journalist Tom Hayden raised concerns about improper use of district funds, including charges for luxury rides, a political donation and a steak dinner. Hayden later wrote that the case reflected a broader erosion of oversight in public school districts.

On Oct. 10, District 65 issued a statement confirming prior knowledge of the investigation and said it had fully cooperated with authorities. The district said the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to seek full restitution and added it may pursue civil claims if criminal penalties do not cover the financial losses.

“We recognize how profoundly troubling this news is to receive,” the district said in its statement.

In Georgia, DeKalb County placed Horton on leave Oct. 9. State Sen. Emanuel Jones called for his dismissal, citing the severity of the charges.

“I am calling for the immediate dismissal of Superintendent Devon Horton,” Jones said in a press release at the time. “The allegations of wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion outlined in the federal indictment are deeply troubling and indicate that he is incapable of leading the DeKalb County School District.”

District 65 Board President Sergio Hernandez resigned his leadership post Oct. 14, one of two remaining members who hired Horton, amid the scandal and looming school closures, with Patricia S. Anderson elected as successor.

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS