New Indictments Emerge in Voucher Program Scandal as Horne Highlights Protective Measures

A state grand jury has issued a fraud indictment connected to Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, charging two individuals with allegedly defrauding the system of $110,000. The indictment highlights how Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt, who are not Arizona residents, used false documents to establish 50 accounts for both real and fictitious children.

This indictment marks the third in two years that involves ESA, intensifying scrutiny around the program and sparking calls for greater legislative oversight. Superintendent Tom Horne emphasized that under his leadership, the Department of Education has implemented internal safeguards to prevent future fraud. “I have zero tolerance for fraud,” he stated, underscoring the seriousness of the accusations.

According to the indictment released on November 12, the fraudulent activities took place between December 2022 and May 2024, with Bowers and Hewitt allegedly utilizing fake birth certificates, utility bills, and lease agreements to register accounts for 43 fictitious children and seven real ones. They are accused of misappropriating over $110,000, which they used for living expenses in Colorado, and are now believed to reside in Utah, per the Attorney General’s office.

The grand jury has returned 60 charges against the pair, including conspiracy and fraudulent schemes, both classified as class two felonies. If convicted, they face potential prison sentences ranging from four to ten years. In addition, they are charged with 58 counts of forgery, each a class four felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

The Arizona Department of Education has played a pivotal role in flagging this case, ensuring it was referred for further investigation. Attorney General Kris Mayes is currently overseeing two additional ESA fraud cases. In one case from February, three former program employees and two children of an employee face charges for allegedly defrauding the ESA of over $600,000 using falsified documentation.

This upcoming trial is scheduled for a conference on December 9, although delays have arisen due to issues surrounding witness testimonies. In another indictment, three women are accused of establishing bogus educational vendors to illegally collect approximately $87,900 from the program. One of the defendants, Sarah Ishler, has already entered a plea agreement.

Horne has attributed the identification of two of the three pending cases to heightened oversight measures initiated during his administration. Despite the improvements, he noted that a prior flexibility in oversight had been eliminated. Training sessions aimed at recognizing fraudulent documents have also been implemented, with plans for further educational programs in the future.

Despite the initiative, critics argue that the ESA program remains susceptible to fraud. Beth Lewis, executive director of Save Our Schools, stated that without significant legislative oversight, misuse within the program will persist. “Arizona’s ESA voucher program is wide open for fraud and abuse,” she warned, advocating for urgent reforms to restore integrity to the program.