An Arizona grand jury has indicted two individuals for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to defraud the state’s private school voucher program of over $110,000. The indictment accuses the pair of using fake documents and fabricated children’s identities to illegally claim education funds meant for Arizona families.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The accused, Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt (also known as Ashley Hopkins), are charged with submitting false applications to the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program between December 2022 and May 2024. According to the indictment, the duo claimed to be parents of 50 children, 43 of whom were fictitious.
The fraudulent applications included fabricated birth certificates, utility bills, and lease agreements, listing both real and fake parent names. Examples of the made-up children’s names included “Louis Dobbs,” “Tucker Gil,” and “Poppy Fox.”
The funds, prosecutors allege, were used for personal living expenses in Colorado.
Indictment and Charges
The Maricopa County grand jury handed down the indictment on November 12, charging both Bowers and Hewitt with 60 felony counts, including conspiracy, fraud, and forgery.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the indictment on Monday, emphasizing the gravity of the charges. “This is a clear case of egregious fraud against a program intended to benefit Arizona students,” she said.
Bowers and Hewitt are believed to be residing in Utah, according to Mayes’ office. Attempts by the Associated Press to contact the accused were unsuccessful.
Arizona’s Controversial Voucher Program
The Arizona ESA program, originally launched to provide financial support for private school tuition and educational expenses, has faced ongoing political contention. In 2022, it was significantly expanded under then-Governor Doug Ducey, allowing all Arizona parents to redirect state funds from public schools to private educational costs.
While Republicans and school choice advocates praise the program for empowering families, critics, including current Governor Katie Hobbs, argue that it lacks sufficient oversight. Hobbs has previously cited examples of program funds being used for luxury items, such as ski resort passes and pianos, and has called for reforms as costs have surged.
Fraud Highlights Program Vulnerabilities
The alleged fraud by Bowers and Hewitt has reignited scrutiny of the ESA program’s oversight mechanisms. Critics argue that the lack of stringent verification processes makes the program vulnerable to abuse.
Governor Hobbs and other Democratic leaders have cited this case as evidence of the need for tighter controls. “The costs to Arizona taxpayers are unacceptable,” Hobbs said in a recent statement.
