Devon Q. Horton, the former superintendent of DeKalb County School District, pled not guilty Thursday, Oct. 23 to 17 felony counts of wire fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement in connection to an alleged kickback plan while serving as superintendent of the Evanston Skokie District 65 District, Joseph Fitzpatrick, spokesman for the Assistant U.S. Attorney in Illinois told Rough Draft Atlanta.
Horton was joined in court by co-defendants Samuel Ross and Alfonzo Lewis, who were also charged in connection with the scheme. Both also pled not guilty on four counts each of wire fraud/honest services fraud, according to a report by the Evanston RoundTable.
Antonio Ross, the fourth defendant, will be arraigned next week.
Horton’s attorney, Terence Campbell, wrote in a statement obtained by RoundTable, that Horton tackled “tough issues under difficult circumstances.”
“The truth is,” Campbell wrote, “his leadership bettered the school system for the children and families of District 65. Dr. Horton is eager to address his case in court and is glad that process has now begun.”
Between 2021 and 2023, the 37-page indictment alleges that Horton accepted and approved contracts with business partners that he would financially benefit from, totaling more than $85,000 in kickbacks.
The DeKalb County Board of Education voted 6-1 to accept Horton’s resignation in a closed executive session held Oct. 15. He will continue on paid leave until Nov. 15, according to Carla Parker, DeKalb County Schools spokeswoman.
A forensic audit will determine whether Horton, whose annual base salary as of July 2025 was $360,000, misused his school system purchasing card.
“Given the recent federal indictment involving Dr. Horton related to his employment in a prior school district, the board believes this action is in the best interest of the DeKalb County School District,” said Deidre Pierce, school board chair. “We recognize the seriousness of the situation and remain committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining public trust.”
Some DeKalb County parents told Rough Draft Atlanta they have already lost trust in the district based, not only on hiring Horton, but the array of superintendents who have come and gone over the last 10 years.
“There’s a systemic failure in the governance and accountability of that board. This change in leadership is going to be necessary to restore trust to the public,” Smoke Rise Elementary parent Jeannette Fusia told Rough Draft Atlanta. “I know that Deirdre Pierce said that she’s maintaining public trust. Let me be very clear: the public does not trust this district.”
A status hearing for Horton is set for Dec. 4, Fitzpatrick said.
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