DeKalb County School District Superintendent Devon Horton has been placed on paid administrative leave after being indicted on federal charges. The indictment, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, includes 17 counts of wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax fraud related to his previous role as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65.
The DeKalb County School Board held an emergency meeting on October 9, 2025, and appointed Chief of Student Services Norman Sauce as the interim superintendent. The charges allege Horton participated in a kickback scheme involving district contracts.
Key Takeaways
- DeKalb County Superintendent Devon Horton faces a 17-count federal indictment for actions allegedly committed in a previous job in Illinois.
- Charges include wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax fraud, stemming from an alleged kickback scheme valued at over $280,000.
- The DeKalb School Board has placed Horton on paid administrative leave and named an interim superintendent.
- The indictment could lead to Horton's termination and jeopardizes a major student redistricting plan currently underway in the district.
Details of the Federal Indictment
The indictment alleges that a fraudulent scheme took place between August 2020 and 2023, while Dr. Devon Horton served as superintendent for Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois. He left that position in 2023 to lead the DeKalb County School District.
Prosecutors claim Horton, along with associates Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross, and Alfonzo Lewis, orchestrated a system of kickbacks. The men allegedly directed professional service contracts to businesses they owned without disclosing their financial interests.
By the Numbers
- 17: The number of federal charges Horton faces.
- $280,000: The approximate value of the contracts involved in the alleged scheme.
- $85,000: The amount Horton allegedly received in kickbacks.
According to the indictment, the defendants made false representations to conceal Horton's personal economic stake in the companies receiving contracts from District 65. These actions were allegedly designed to hide that Horton was receiving payments from the individuals and entities he selected for professional services.
The indictment states, "These false and fraudulent representations were made for the purpose of concealing that Horton was receiving kickbacks from Antonio Ross, Samuel Ross, and Lewis and their associated entities."
DeKalb School Board Takes Immediate Action
Upon learning of the indictment, the DeKalb County School Board convened an emergency executive session on the afternoon of October 9. Following the closed-door meeting, the board announced that Horton would be placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately.
Norman Sauce, the district's Chief of Student Services, was named interim superintendent to ensure continuity of operations. A spokesperson for the DeKalb County School District stated the system had no comment on the matter at this time. Board members contacted prior to the emergency meeting also declined to comment.
The news became public after Horton's former employer, District 65, released a statement confirming the charges.
"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. We are deeply troubled and angered by these allegations."
District 65 officials noted they had been aware of the investigation and had fully cooperated with federal authorities, maintaining confidentiality at their request to protect the integrity of the process.
Contractual and Legal Implications for Horton
The federal indictment creates significant legal and professional challenges for Horton. His employment contract with the DeKalb County School District, which was extended with a raise in July, contains a "termination for cause" clause that could be triggered by these events.
The contract defines cause for termination as conduct that is "materially prejudicial to the School District," including immoral conduct. Under the agreement, Horton has the right to a fair hearing before the board if they move to dismiss him.
Georgia Law on Indicted Public Officials
Under Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-940), when a public official like a school superintendent is indicted, the governor has the authority to appoint a review commission. This panel, consisting of the attorney general and two other superintendents, would determine if the indictment adversely affects the official's ability to administer their office. If so, the commission can recommend the governor suspend the official from duty.
The commission must provide a written recommendation to the governor within 14 days of its appointment. This process could run parallel to any termination proceedings initiated by the local school board.
Impact on the School District's Future
The leadership crisis comes at a critical time for the DeKalb County School District. Horton has been leading a comprehensive redistricting effort known as the Student Assignment Plan. The plan is a major initiative aimed at rebalancing student populations and facility usage across the district.
Recommendations from this process were expected in January. With Horton's future uncertain, the timeline and direction of the redistricting plan are now in question. The sudden change in leadership could delay or significantly alter one of the most important projects the district has undertaken in years.
On the day of the indictment, Horton was absent from a Decide DeKalb Development Authority meeting where he was scheduled to be sworn in as a new board member, signaling the immediate fallout from the federal charges.
