News Summary
Two individuals have pleaded guilty to felony charges related to a scheme that defrauded Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program of over $110,000. Johnny Bowers and Ashley Hewitt forged documents to falsely claim enrollment for more than 40 children. Their actions raised concerns about the oversight of the ESA program, which is critical for educational funding. Sentencing is set for October 24 as the Attorney General reiterates the commitment to combat fraud within the program.
Arizona – Two individuals have pleaded guilty to felony charges related to a scheme that defrauded Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program of over $110,000. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the convictions on Wednesday, shedding light on the misuse of funds meant for educational purposes.
Johnny Bowers entered his guilty plea to charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices (Class 2 felony) and forgery (Class 4 felony) in Maricopa County Superior Court on August 26. Ashley Hewitt, also known as Ashley Hopkins, pleaded guilty to fraudulent schemes and artifices (Class 2 felony) on August 5. The fraudulent activities of Bowers and Hewitt occurred while they resided in Colorado and spanned from December 2022 to May 2024, during which they falsely claimed to enroll more than 40 children using forged documents.
These forged documents included birth certificates, utility bills, and lease agreements, covering both real and fictitious children, some referred to as “ghost” children who did not actually exist. The pair faced a total of 60 felony charges, including conspiracy and forgery, and were indicted in November 2024, demonstrating the extent of their fraudulent operation.
The ESA program provides annual vouchers typically ranging from $7,000 to $8,000 per child. For children with special needs, the funding can exceed $40,000 per year. Currently, the ESA program is utilized by over 90,000 participants and is projected to cost Arizona approximately $1 billion during the current school year alone. This significant financial figure underscores the importance of vigilance in the administration and oversight of the program.
Bowers and Hewitt are scheduled for sentencing on October 24, and the Attorney General has expressed a firm stance against fraud within the ESA program. Mayes stated that her office will continue to monitor and protect taxpayer dollars, particularly as misuse cases come to light.
Arizona State Schools Chief Tom Horne has also been involved in investigating misuses of the ESA program. His office has successfully recovered or referred for collection over $622,000 in improper ESA purchases, which have included non-educational items such as dune buggies and golf simulators. Horne has publicly criticized the lack of support from the Attorney General’s office in addressing fraud cases related to the ESA.
In response to growing concerns about the oversight of ESA program funds, starting in late November 2024, the Arizona Department of Education is set to implement a policy where ESA purchases under $2,000 will be automatically approved before undergoing an audit. This change aims to address a backlog of claims that has formed due to the rising number of fraud cases. However, Attorney General Mayes has raised alarms about this new approval process, arguing that it may further facilitate misuse of taxpayer funds for non-educational purposes.
Public advocates have ongoing concerns regarding the governance of the ESA program and the potential for fund mismanagement, which can undermine the program’s intended goals. With increased scrutiny from both the Attorney General and the State Schools Chief, the hope remains that measures will be enacted to safeguard the integrity of the ESA program and ensure that funds are utilized appropriately for the education of Arizona’s children.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KTAR News: Potential Fraud ESA Purchases
- Wikipedia: Empowerment Scholarship Accounts in Arizona
- AZ Mirror: Two Colorado Residents Plead Guilty to $110K in Arizona School Voucher Fraud
- Google Search: Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts
- AZ Central: Guilty Plea in Arizona Voucher Fraud
- Google Scholar: Arizona ESA Fraud
- ABC15: 400 ESA Accounts Suspended
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Voucher
- AZ Family: Alleged Use of Ghost Children to Defraud ESA
- Google News: Arizona School Voucher Fraud
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.
