DeKalb superintendent indicted on 17 federal counts in Illinois case; placed on leave

EVANSTON, Ill. - Federal prosecutors in Illinois have charged DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton in a sweeping corruption case tied to his previous tenure leading Evanston/Skokie School District 65. 

The DeKalb County School Board placed Horton on paid administrative leave and named Dr. Norman C. Sauce III interim superintendent while officials review the situation.

SEE ALSO: Who is Dr. Norman C. Sauce III?

Allegations against Dr. Devon Horton

What we know:

A federal grand jury in April 2024 returned a 17-count indictment against Horton and three associates, identifying them as Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross, and Alfonzo Lewis. 

The filing, entered in the Northern District of Illinois on Oct. 8, outlines alleged wire fraud, honest-services fraud, federal program theft, and tax evasion. 

Prosecutors say Horton, while superintendent at District 65, steered professional service contracts to companies tied to his associates, approved invoices for work that was not performed, and received kickbacks routed directly or through an individual identified as his sibling. 

The indictment also alleges Horton used a district procurement card for personal expenses in 2022 and 2023 and underreported income on his federal taxes.

SEE ALSO: DeKalb superintendent Dr. Horton's hiring was not without controversy

Accusations of kickbacks, tax evasion 

By the numbers:

According to the indictment, District 65 paid roughly $139,500 to Connecting the Dots Leadership Initiative LLC, $119,500 to Asset Protection Specialist LLC, and $24,500 to New Flight 35 Sports & Academic Academy LLC. 

Prosecutors allege kickbacks to Horton totaled about $41,900 from Connecting the Dots, $30,800 from Asset Protection, and $9,000 from New Flight 35. 

The filing further alleges Horton’s own company, Altering the Education Xpectation LLC, received about $10,000 through Chicago Public Schools after false representations.

The indictment lists multiple wire transmissions, including emails and electronic fund transfers, that prosecutors say advanced the scheme. 

It seeks forfeiture of at least $293,500 related to the alleged wire-fraud counts and an additional $30,845.77 tied to the alleged federal program theft counts. Horton is also charged with two counts of tax evasion for 2022 and 2023.

‘Angered’ over indictment

What they're saying:

District 65 told families it learned of the formal charges on October 9. "The District has been aware of the ongoing investigation and has fully supported the process," the statement said. "At the request of federal authorities, we have maintained confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation." 

Board leaders Sergio Hernandez and Dr. Nichole Pinkard said they were "deeply troubled and angered" by the allegations and that the district’s legal team is reviewing the indictment and expects a more detailed statement soon.

The DeKalb County School District, where Horton was named as superintendent in 2023, acknowledged the indictment in a brief statement, saying it is aware of the federal charges but has no further comment at this time.

Dr. Horton's attorney responds

The other side:

In a statement, attorney Terence Campbell of the Chicago law firm Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell said Horton has "served the DeKalb County School District honorably and with the highest integrity." 

Campbell said Horton’s leadership led to higher graduation rates, improved student performance, and the hiring of "high-quality educators." 

He said the allegations stem from "conduct that is several years old" and have "nothing whatsoever to do with his very successful work" in DeKalb County.

Horton's attorney added that he is "eager to address his case in court so he can return his focus to bettering the lives and education of children."

DeKalb County Schools suspends superintendent

What's next:

Horton was placed on administrative leave with pay from his current post in Georgia. The board has named Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as interim superintendent.