DeKalb superintendent indicted in kickback scheme
A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted DeKalb County, Georgia, school superintendent Devon Horton on 17 counts of wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion, alleging he steered more than $283,000 in contracts to associates and took over $80,000 in kickbacks while leading Illinois’ Evanston-Skokie District 65 from 2020–2023. The DeKalb County school board suspended Horton with pay Thursday and named Chief of Student Services Norman Sauce acting superintendent as prosecutors also charged three alleged co-conspirators and sought forfeiture of the funds.
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📌 Key Facts
- Indictment: 17 counts (wire fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion) returned Oct. 8, 2025, in Chicago federal court
- Allegations: ~$283,500 in contracts to three friends; >$80,000 in kickbacks; >$30,000 in personal purchases on district card
- Co-defendants: Antonio Ross (48), Samuel Ross (46), Alfonzo Lewis (48)
- DeKalb action: Board suspended Horton with pay; Norman Sauce named acting superintendent
- Potential penalty: More than 10 years under federal guidelines; prosecutors seek forfeiture