最新杏吧原创

Additionally, Horton is charged with tax fraud, and a fourth person is also named in the indictment.

Horton worked as聽deputy superintendent in East St Louis from 2014 through 2018, his first leadership position after he began his career as a teacher.

Horton, who was district superintendent from 2019 to 2023, was indicted Thursday along with three other people in connection with an alleged kickback scheme that paid Horton $81,000 when he led the north suburban school district. Horton faces two counts of wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion, according to court records. Former Hyde Park Academy Principal Antonio Ross and Hyde Park Academy athletic director Alfonzo Lewis were also charged in the case.

The 17-count indictment alleges that Horton, Antonio Ross, Lewis and Samuel Ross created companies to apply for work contracts with Evanston/Skokie. Horton, in his capacity as the superintendent, got the contracts approved. The men lied about the work they did for the district and sent phony invoices to get paid, according to the federal court document.

Horton then received kickbacks from his trio of 鈥渇riends,鈥� the indictment states.

Federal prosecutors say that Horton, Antonio Ross and Lewis went so far as to hide the kickback payments by funneling the money through a person identified as Horton鈥檚 鈥渟ibling.鈥�

鈥淭he Board places significant trust in its Superintendent to act with honesty and in the best interest of students. If proven, it is unconscionable that anyone who is charged with serving in the best interest of students and taxpayers would engage in this level of egregious misconduct,鈥� board President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard said in a letter released Friday.

The letter says that the U.S. Department of Education issued its initial subpoena to the district in July 2023, shortly after Horton left to take a job in Georgia. Since then, the school board and the administration have fully cooperated with the investigation, providing requested documents and interviews.

The district complied with the Department of Education鈥檚 and federal prosecutors鈥� request to keep the allegations confidential, Hernandez and Pinkard wrote.

No current or former school board members, district administrators or other employees are criminally implicated or were investigated, according to the letter.

鈥淲e recognize how profoundly troubling this news is to receive,鈥� Pinkard and Hernandez wrote. 鈥淭hese allegations go against everything we stand for as a community and the values and beliefs we strive to uphold. 鈥� We believe we have seen a significant increase in transparency, accountability, and the development of needed systems, structures, and processes under our current leadership team.鈥�

A spokesperson for CPS said in a statement that the district will cooperate with all investigative authorities. The school system does not comment on personnel matters, the statement said, but employees named in credible allegations are immediately removed from their school pending investigation. All principals and administrators undergo thorough background checks and vetting.

鈥淐PS is firmly committed to maintaining safe, ethical, and supportive learning environments for every student and staff member,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淩eports of alleged misconduct by school leaders are deeply concerning to the entire CPS community.鈥�

Antonio Ross worked at Hyde Park Academy High School from 2007 to 2023, first as assistant principal then as principal for a decade. He was abruptly removed from his position in March 2023 because of alleged public benefits fraud, and his employment was formally terminated by the Chicago Board of Education last year.

Antonio Ross had fraudulently obtained a $20,000 Paycheck Protection Payment loan and loan forgiveness, according to documents from his principal dismissal hearing through the Illinois State Board of Education.

Lewis has worked at Chicago Public Schools since 2013, according to his LinkedIn page. Lewis was still listed as an athletic director on the website of Hyde Park Academy on Friday afternoon.

Lewis and Ross could not be reached for comment.

Horton, who began his career as a Chicago teacher, left聽Evanston/Skokie in June 2023 to lead the DeKalb County School District in suburban Atlanta. After the聽Evanston/Skokie school board announced the indictment Thursday, DeKalb County schools published a statement on its website stating that Horton has been placed on administrative leave with pay.

鈥淲hile we cannot comment on confidential personnel matters, we are concerned by these allegations,鈥� Deirdre Pierce, the DeKalb County Board of Education chairperson, said in a statement. 鈥淥ur top priority remains the well-being of our students, staff, and the entire DCSD community. DCSD operations and services will continue as normal, with our dedicated leadership team and staff remaining focused on providing a safe, supportive, and high-quality educational experience for every student.鈥�

A spokesperson for the Georgia district declined further comment in a phone call with Pioneer Press.

Horton鈥檚 attorney, Terrence Campbell, released a statement defending his client鈥檚 character and job performance.

鈥淒r. Horton has served the DeKalb County School District honorably and with the highest integrity over the past few years as Superintendent,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淯nder his leadership in DeKalb County, graduation rates have gone up, student attendance has risen, student performance has improved, and hundreds of teacher vacancies have been filled with high-quality educators.鈥�

鈥淚n his prior position as Superintendent of Evanston District 65 schools, Dr. Horton tackled head-on a number of tough issues often under difficult circumstances, including having threats of violence made against him and his family during his tenure in Evanston. His leadership bettered the school system for the children and families of District 65. Dr. Horton is eager to address his case in court so he can return his focus to bettering the lives and education of children, which has been his passion throughout his professional career.鈥�