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Update: Details on federal indictment of former Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton

October 10, 2025

Dear District 65 Community -

Yesterday, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois formally filed criminal charges against Dr. Devon Horton for acts he allegedly committed while serving as Superintendent of Evanston/Skokie School District 65. The allegations include that Dr. Horton received unauthorized kickback payments from consultants related to contracts he personally executed as Superintendent, along with misuse of his District-issued p-card (credit card) for his personal benefit. Dr. Horton served as the District’s Superintendent from June 18, 2020 to June 30, 2023.

A thorough investigation into these matters by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) took place for over two years. During the course of the investigation, the District complied with the USDOE’s and US Attorney’s requests to keep these allegations confidential to maintain the integrity of the ongoing federal investigation until the matter became public.

No current or former Board members, District administrators, or other employees are criminally implicated in this matter or were ever subjects of the investigation. Nor did any District employees or Board members have any knowledge of Dr. Horton’s alleged kickback scheme.

As a public school district committed to the education and the well-being of the children of the Evanston/Skokie community and a steward of District taxpayers, we are deeply troubled and angered if these allegations are proven. If true, it is a betrayal of our District and community. 

The Board places significant trust in its Superintendent to act with honesty and in the best interest of students. If proven, it is unconscionable that anyone who is charged with serving in the best interest of students and taxpayers would engage in this level of egregious misconduct.

The USDOE issued the District an initial subpoena related to these matters on July 12, 2023, shortly after Dr. Horton’s employment with the District ended. Since that time, the Board and administration have fully cooperated with the investigation, providing access to all requested records and participating in all requests for interviews. 

Additionally, when the District learned of these allegations, it proactively raised its concerns over alleged misuse of Dr. Horton’s p-card that the District previously uncovered directly with the USDOE and Justice Department investigators. The USDOE reviewed the District’s concerns and added them to the criminal charges against Dr. Horton.

Upon learning of these allegations, the prior School Board directed the current administration to engage in a thorough review of the District’s financial systems, in consultation with an independent financial advisor, to strengthen processes wherever possible against bad actors. 

The District added additional safeguards and strengthened processes related to its contract approval and p-card usage. These were outlined in a public presentation to the School Board and community at the September 3, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting and again at its Regular Board Meeting held on May 19, 2025. 

The U.S. Attorney has communicated to the District and provides in its indictment that it intends to seek full monetary restitution on behalf of the District as part of the criminal penalties against the defendants. If restitution through the criminal judicial process proves insufficient, the District will consider pursuing civil claims as appropriate and cost effective. 

If the US Attorney’s allegations are proven true, not only were the District’s interests subverted, the District and the community are the victims of several crimes. In the spirit of transparency, our team has prepared what we believe are likely frequently asked questions/answers we anticipate the public will have.

As it is requested, the District will work with the USDOE and the Justice Department to ensure that the District, its taxpayers, and students obtain justice. We will also continue to be transparent and forthcoming with information as it becomes available and as we are legally able to share. 

We recognize how profoundly troubling this news is to receive. These allegations go against everything we stand for as a community and the values and beliefs we strive to uphold. District 65 is a wonderful public school system with staff, families, and community members who care deeply about the success of all students. We believe we have seen a significant increase in transparency, accountability, and the development of needed systems, structures, and processes under our current leadership team. 

With the continued partnership of our community, we are confident in a brighter future for our lighthouse district.

Sergio Hernandez and Nichole Pinkard, PhD
Board Leadership

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Federal Indictment of former Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton

October 9, 2025

Dear District 65 Community - 

On Thursday, October 9, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois formally filed criminal charges against Dr. Devon Horton for acts he allegedly committed while serving as Superintendent of District 65. 

The District has been aware of the ongoing investigation and has fully supported the process. At the request of federal authorities, we have maintained confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation.

We are deeply troubled and angered by these allegations. Now that the federal government has formally indicted, the District is reviewing the specific details of the indictment with the District’s legal counsel. A more detailed statement will be forthcoming after we have had an opportunity to review the details of the indictment.

Sergio Hernandez (he/him) and Dr. Nichole Pinkard (she/her)
Board Leadership