The former superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, a former Chicago Public School principal, a current CPS employee and another man were all indicted Thursday for an alleged kickback scheme involving service contracts.
The federal indictment centers on Devon Horton, who is currently the superintendent of DeKalb County School District in Georgia. Horton was placed on administrative leave Thursday, according to a statement on the school district’s website.
The indictment alleges that, while he was superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Horton steered contracts to companies owned by his associates that were created for the purpose of getting contracts with District 65. Those companies allegedly put money into a sibling’s bank account, which was then funneled to Horton.
He left Evanston/Skokie School District in 2023. Prior to working in the suburbs, Horton was principal of CPS’ Phillips High School.
WBEZ reached out to Horton at the DeKalb County School District, but he did not respond Thursday.
One of those companies cited in the indictment was owned by Antonio Ross, who was principal of Hyde Park Academy until April 2023 when he was dismissed for “engaging in public benefits fraud by deliberately obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and PPP loan forgiveness through fraudulent means,” according to his dismissal proceedings in front of a state board hearing officer. Ross could not be immediately reached for comment.
In addition to the kickback scheme with District 65, Antonio Ross as Hyde Park principal awarded Horton’s company, Altering the Education Xpectation, a service contract with CPS. Ross approved false invoices for services by Horton’s company that were never completed, according to the indictment. Horton is accused of fraudulently receiving about $10,000 in CPS funds this way.
Alfonzo Lewis, the athletic director at Hyde Park Academy under Ross, also owned a company named New Flight 35, that got business from District 65. Lewis, who is also named in the indictment, appears to be currently employed by CPS as he is listed on CPS’ most recent employee roster.
CPS officials say they do not comment on specific personnel matters or active investigations. But they said that if credible allegations are made against an employee, the employee is immediately removed and CPS initiates its own review. “Employees found to have violated Board policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination,” according to a statement.
“Reports of alleged misconduct by school leaders are deeply concerning to the entire CPS community,” according to the statement. “Every principal and administrator undergoes thorough background checks and vetting to ensure they have the professional expertise and personal integrity required to serve our 315,000 students and their families. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue to uphold the trust placed in us.”
According to the indictment, Samuel Ross, Antonio Ross and Lewis, who are friends of Horton, allegedly created companies to apply as vendors for professional service contracts with District 65.
They “concealed and disguised the fact that portions of payments” from the district to those companies would be kicked back to Horton. Samuel Ross does not appear to be connected with a school district and it does not state if he is related to Antonio Ross.
The men are accused of submitting “false and fraudulent” documents to the district in order to win those contracts, the indictment alleges, adding that Horton also hid his personal and economic connections to the three men from his district.
Horton would approve fraudulent invoices submitted by the men’s companies for services that were never rendered, according to the indictment. When the district sent out the payments, a portion of those would be transferred to a bank account associated with one of Horton’s siblings, who is unnamed in the indictment. Horton then directed his sibling to transfer that money to his account, the indictment states.
Antonio Ross did not disclose to CPS that his company, Connecting the Dots Leadership, had been contracted to perform work for District 65 even though he knew he needed approval from CPS for another job, the indictment alleges. Kickbacks from his company to Horton totaled about $41,900.
Kickbacks to Horton from Samuel Ross’ company, Asset Protection Specialist, totaled about $30,800. Lewis’ company, New Flight 35 Sports and Academic Academy, paid out about $9,000 to Horton.
Antonio Ross and Horton did not disclose their financial ties to each other with their respective districts, the indictment alleges.
Horton is also alleged to have charged meals, gift cards and vehicle expenses to a district-provided credit card that he was prohibited from using for personal use.
In a statement, Evanston/Skokie School District 65 said it’s reviewing the details of the indictment with its legal counsel but it has been aware of the investigation and “fully supported” the process.
“We are deeply troubled and angered by these allegations,” the district said.
Sarah Karp covers education for WBEZ. Follow her on X @WBEZeducation and @sskedreporter.