Former Superintendent Defaulted On Repayments To Evanston/Skokie School District 65

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is looking into hiring lawyers to collect outstanding money from former Superintendent Devon Horton after he defaulted on a $25,000 payment agreement.

These funds are related to a 2023 repayment agreement between Horton and the district, in which he agreed to pay monthly amounts for terminating his employment before the end of his contract. School Board president Pat Anderson said the total amount up for collection is about $7,500, not including other fees.

The district is considering engaging the law firm Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, which does not charge hourly. The firm would only be compensated if it secures collection, and the district's repayment agreement requires Horton to pay for any attorney fees related to collection.

"I personally am conflicted about spending our energy chasing Dr. Horton only because I think it's there's very low likelihood that we will actually collect anything," said board member Maria Opdycke. "On the other hand, I recognize that this is a very low-cost initiative to us. There is a part of me that really likes the idea of making sure his phone is ringing multiple times a day, reminding him about us."

In October, Horton pleaded not guilty to charges related to alleged kickback scheme that took place during his time leading the district.

According to prosecutors, Horton hired others who paid him $81,000 in kickbacks from 2019 to 2023. Horton faces a maximum of 290 years for 13 counts of wire fraud, two counts of tax evasion and two counts of embezzlement.

Horton is also accused of spending nearly $30,000 in unauthorized purchases on the school district's credit card for personal use.

"These allegations go against everything we stand for as a community and the values and beliefs we strive to uphold. District 65 is a wonderful public school system with staff, families, and community
members who care deeply about the success of all students," D65 officials said in an October statement.

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois filed charges for the alleged scheme earlier this month. The indictment also includes three of Horton's "friends," who are believed to have created companies to apply for work contracts with D65, which Horton approved.

At a routine hearing for the case last week, United States District Judge Thomas Durkin set another hearing for February. At the February hearing, attorneys are expected to announce who intends to go to trial.