News Summary
Two Colorado residents, Johnny Bowers and Ashley Hewitt, have pleaded guilty to committing fraud in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program. They admitted to submitting fraudulent applications for 50 children while living in Colorado, many of which were for non-existent children. The Arizona Attorney General has stated that both individuals face severe repercussions for their actions, with a total of $110,258.28 misappropriated from the program. Their sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2025, amidst a broader effort to tackle fraud within educational funding programs in Arizona.
Arizona – Two residents from Colorado have pled guilty to fraud in connection with the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Johnny Bowers and Ashley Hewitt, also known as Ashley Hopkins, admitted to their involvement in a scheme that defrauded the program, which allows families to allocate a portion of public education funds to private schools, charter schools, or homeschooling. The Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes, confirmed their guilty pleas and indicated that both individuals face serious consequences for their actions.
Bowers and Hewitt each pleaded guilty to one felony count of fraudulent schemes and artifices during a hearing in a Maricopa County Superior Court. Additionally, Bowers entered a guilty plea for a separate count of forgery. Both of these pleas were accepted by the court, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into fraudulent activity within the ESA program.
Prosecutors allege that Bowers and Hewitt submitted applications claiming ESA benefits for 50 children while they were residing in Colorado. Out of these applications, 43 were reportedly for “ghost” children—individuals that do not actually exist. The Arizona Department of Education discovered the fraudulent activity and subsequently notified the Attorney General’s office, leading to an official investigation.
Following the investigation, Bowers and Hewitt were indicted by a state grand jury in November after relocating to Utah. The indictment, which spans 22 pages, outlined the use of various forged documents, including birth certificates, utility bills, and lease agreements, to falsely claim ESA benefits from December 2022 to May 2024. The couple is alleged to have received a total of $110,258.28 from the program, which they misappropriated for personal expenses.
Bowers and Hewitt are scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2025. The outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges that educational funding programs can face due to fraudulent activities. Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne noted that detection of fraud is critical and highlighted the success of risk-based auditing methods used to uncover these illicit practices. Efforts are being made to protect taxpayer resources and ensure integrity within the ESA program.
The Attorney General emphasized that fraud in the ESA program will not be tolerated, stressing the necessity for accountability among those who exploit government systems for personal gain. The Arizona Department of Education is addressing this issue seriously and has recovered or referred for collection over $622,000 related to improper purchases that stem from various fraudulent activities within the ESA program.
The ESA program itself plays a significant role in supporting educational choices for families in Arizona, allowing them to redirect public funds to best meet their children’s educational needs. However, the misuse of this system raises concerns about the overall integrity of the program and the potential implications for genuine beneficiaries.
With increasing scrutiny on educational funding and the mechanisms put in place to manage them, Arizona’s commitment to tackling fraud and protecting taxpayer money remains a priority. The actions against Bowers and Hewitt highlight the importance of vigilance and accountability in ensuring that such programs maintain their intended purpose of benefiting students and families across the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Arizona’s Family
- KTAR News
- 12 News
- My Herald Review
- ABC15
- Wikipedia: Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account
- Google Search: Arizona school funding fraud
- Google Scholar: Arizona ESA fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Fund
- Google News: Arizona ESA fraud case
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
