Fresh revelations have emerged concerning a former Georgia school superintendent who is now facing intense scrutiny after official records exposed a staggering $120,000 in taxpayer-funded expenditures on his district purchasing card. Dr. Devon Horton, the former superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, is at the centre of a growing financial and legal storm.
Exorbitant Spending on Public Funds
Documents obtained by WSB-TV detail the extraordinary scope of Horton's spending over a two-year period. The records show that under district rules, which did not require prior school board approval for such expenditures, Horton charged more than $120,000 to the DeKalb County Schools purchasing card.
Notable Transactions Raise Eyebrows
The breakdown of purchases includes several particularly eye-watering transactions that have drawn criticism from officials and the public alike:
- A single $11,000 visit to Sam's Club
- One check totalling $8,700 at Jason's Deli
- Two separate visits to Bambinelli's Italian Restaurant costing $4,500 and $3,100
- A $3,000 transaction at Honey Baked Ham
- A remarkable $2,600 charged in one transaction at Chick-fil-A
State officials have questioned how such substantial spending went unchecked for so long, while the school district has launched a comprehensive forensic audit into Horton's use of public funds.
Mounting Legal Troubles on Multiple Fronts
The spending revelations come as Horton faces serious legal challenges across different jurisdictions. In October 2025, a federal grand jury in Chicago indicted him on seventeen felony counts including wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion.
Federal Fraud Allegations in Illinois
Prosecutors allege that during his tenure as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois between 2020 and 2023, Horton issued more than $280,000 in contracts to three longtime associates and received over $80,000 in kickbacks in return.
The indictment further claims Horton stole more than $30,000 from the Illinois district by using a purchasing card for personal meals, gift cards, vehicle expenses, and travel, then failed to report this income on his tax returns. Horton has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges, with his next status hearing scheduled for February 4. If convicted, he faces more than ten years in prison.
Recent Domestic Violence Arrest in Georgia
Adding to his legal woes, Horton was arrested last weekend in Georgia on charges of cruelty to children in the third degree and aggravated assault using strangulation. According to DeKalb County officials, he was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Saturday afternoon and remained there until Monday morning.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Police responded to Horton's $735,000 home after receiving a domestic violence call. An arrest warrant obtained by Decaturish alleges Horton placed his hand on his wife's neck during a dispute, with his wife telling officers she felt like she was going to faint. A five-year-old child in the home reportedly told police he saw Horton put his hand around her neck and push her toward a wall, though police noted there were no visible injuries.
Horton's attorney, Terence Campbell, disputed the characterisation of the incident, stating: 'No child was involved in the argument in any way, other than the mere fact they were at home when it occurred. Dr. Horton is a loving and devoted father to his children.'
School District Response and Ongoing Audit
A district spokesperson confirmed that DeKalb County Schools 'remain committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the appropriate stewardship of public funds.' The board approved a forensic audit into Horton's spending less than a month after his resignation in October, which came just weeks after his federal indictment became public despite having received a contract extension months earlier that raised his salary to $360,000 and extended his term through 2028.
Months later, the results of that audit have still not been released. The school district emphasized that Horton's recent arrest was unrelated to its operations, stating: 'The DeKalb County School District is aware of the reported arrest of former superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, which stems from an alleged incident not related to the school district. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.'
The case continues to develop as multiple investigations proceed simultaneously, raising significant questions about oversight mechanisms for public officials and the stewardship of taxpayer funds in educational institutions.
