Indictments Announced in Empowerment Scholarship Account Fraud Case
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, designed to aid educational pursuits in Arizona, has recently been the subject of legal scrutiny. Two individuals have been indicted on charges of fraudulent actions against the program, leading to a significant response from state officials.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, has expressed his commitment to addressing fraud within the ESA program. “The Department of Education submitted this matter to the Attorney General‘s office and submitted all the other matters currently under criminal investigation, except one, which was discovered by a credit union,” Horne remarked. This highlights the proactive approach taken by the Department to ensure the integrity of the program.
Upon assuming office, Horne, a former Arizona Attorney General, made significant staffing changes to combat potential fraud. He hired an auditor with 15 years of experience from the Auditor General’s office, who now oversees the ESA program in addition to an investigator. These positions were newly created under Horne’s leadership, reflecting his dedication to maintaining the program’s credibility.
Horne expressed satisfaction with the ongoing legal processes, commenting, “I am pleased that prosecutions are following in the cases we sent to The Attorney General’s office.” This development underscores the importance of vigilant oversight in preventing misuse of educational funds.
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