Devon Horton pleads guilty to fraud and embezzlement charges

Former District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton has pleaded guilty to three federal charges: embezzlement, wire fraud, and tax fraud. The charges stem from a kickback scheme involving fraudulent service contracts between January 2022 and August 2024.

According to federal prosecutors, Horton and several co-defendants allegedly used fake contracts to embezzle funds from District 65 and Chicago Public Schools. The scheme involved awarding contracts to companies owned by the defendants without disclosing their financial stakes, with Horton receiving kickbacks from the fraudulent earnings.

Horton faces a potential prison sentence of seven to nine years if the court determines he has taken appropriate responsibility for his actions. If the court finds he has not, he could face between 10 and 12 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 5.

One co-defendant, Samuel Ross, has already entered a plea agreement for wire fraud and has agreed to testify against Horton and two other men involved in the indictment.