Dr. Devon Horton Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges
Dr. Devon Horton, the former superintendent of the DeKalb County Schools, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to a kickback scheme involving three of his friends. According to a statement from his attorney, Horton will resign from his position with the school district effective November 15. His resignation was accepted by the DeKalb County Board of Education last Thursday. Horton had been placed on administrative leave following his indictment.
The charges against Horton stem from his time as a superintendent in an Illinois school district. He was hired for the DeKalb County role after being voted in on April 19, 2023. The hiring process faced criticism from some parents and the local NAACP chapter, despite Horton being named "Superintendent of the Year" in the same district where he is now facing federal charges.
Horton’s attorney, Terry Campbell, released a statement regarding his client's not guilty plea:
“While Superintendent of the Evanston, Illinois School District, 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, his car windows smashed – and even nooses hung at one Evanston school in an attempt to intimidate and terrorize him, presumably by people who disagreed with his educational initiatives. The truth is his leadership bettered the school system for the children and families of Evanston, just as he did in DeKalb County. Dr. Horton is eager to address his case in court and is glad that process has now begun.”
Background on the Federal Indictment of Dr. Devon Horton
Dr. Horton previously served as the superintendent of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65, located just north of Chicago. The federal indictment was filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Illinois. It alleges that Horton and three friends—Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross, and Alfonzo Lewis—used companies they owned to secure professional contracts with District 65.
The indictment claims that Horton concealed kickbacks he received from portions of the payments made to these companies. He is also accused of approving false and fraudulent invoices submitted by the companies to the district.
The companies involved in the alleged scheme include:
- Connecting the Dots Leadership Initiative, LLC (owned by Antonio Ross)
- Asset Protection Specialist, LLC (owned by Samuel Ross)
- New Flight 35 Sports and Academic Academy, LLC (owned by Alfonzo Lewis)
- Altering the Education Xpectation, LLC (owned by Horton)
According to the indictment, Connecting the Dots was given a contract worth about $139,500. Some of the submitted invoices were allegedly falsified, claiming services that had not been provided. It is alleged that money withdrawn from Antonio Ross' bank account or business account was paid in kickbacks totaling approximately $41,900 directly and indirectly to Horton, with some funds funneled through Horton's sibling.
Similar accusations are made against Samuel Ross, who is alleged to have received two contracts with the district totaling approximately $119,500, with kickbacks amounting to around $30,800. For Alfonzo Lewis and New Flight 35, a professional contract for about $24,500 allegedly led to a kickback of around $9,000 to Horton.
The indictment also mentions that both Lewis and Antonio Ross were employed by Chicago Public Schools. Antonio Ross served as a principal at Hyde Park Academy High School, while Lewis was the athletic director there.
The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that Horton and Antonio Ross filed fraudulent documents to Chicago Public Schools so that Antonio Ross, in his capacity as Hyde Park Academy's principal, selected Altering the Education for a $10,000 contract. The indictment outlines how emails were used for some of the activity and includes dates on which kickback deposits were made. Allegations also claim Horton used his District 65 P-Card for personal use.
Following the news about Horton's federal indictment in Illinois, the DeKalb County Board of Education Chairperson Deidre Pierce stated they couldn't comment on "confidential personnel matters" but acknowledged "we are concerned by these allegations."
The Chief of Student Services, Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, has been appointed to serve as the acting superintendent for now.
Terence Campbell, the attorney representing Horton from a Chicago law firm, previously issued a statement on the case.
"Dr. Horton has served the DeKalb County School District honorably and with the highest integrity over the past few years as Superintendent. Under 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," the statement said. "The allegations in Chicago 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.
"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," Campbell added.
The full indictment is below.
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