UPDATE: Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton is scheduled to face a jury trial on October 21, 2023, for serious charges including embezzlement and fraud. This urgent legal battle comes after Horton was indicted alongside three others in a federal case involving 17 counts of embezzlement, wire fraud, and tax fraud linked to his tenure at District 65.
Court filings confirm that the trial will span three weeks in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Horton, who served as superintendent from 2020 to 2023, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining his innocence since his arraignment in October.
The gravity of these allegations has captured public attention, particularly as Horton transitioned to lead the DeKalb County School District in Georgia after leaving Illinois. His recent resignation on October 15 has raised further questions about his leadership and the circumstances surrounding the charges.
In addition to the federal case, Horton is also facing separate charges of cruelty to children and aggravated assault in Georgia, which adds another layer of complexity to his legal woes. A bond of $25,000 was granted after his wife suggested that his actions may have stemmed from stress related to his ongoing federal charges.
The situation is rapidly evolving, and a trial date for the Georgia charges has yet to be established. As the legal proceedings unfold, community members and stakeholders in education are closely watching for developments that could impact the school districts involved.
With the trial date now confirmed, all eyes are on the courtroom as the case progresses. This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Stay tuned for further details on this high-profile case that is shaking the foundations of educational leadership in both Illinois and Georgia.
