EVANSTON, IL — Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to three counts tied to a kickback scheme involving district contracts, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.
The plea change came Monday, a little more than two weeks before Horton's federal trial is set to begin.
Horton had originally pleaded not guilty after he was indicted last year on 17 counts of embezzlement, wire fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors said Horton engaged in an effort to misappropriate District 65 funds and secure more than $81,000 in kickbacks by approving work contracts involving the companies of three of his friends.
According to the Tribune, Horton pleaded guilty to three of those counts in federal court on Oct. 5. The first count involved wire fraud and alleged Horton used telecommunications to intentionally defraud District 65 out of money. The second involved converting district property to his personal use. The third count involved failing to report those gains on his income tax form, according to the report.
The case centers on Horton's time leading District 65, which serves Evanston and Skokie.
The most serious count to which Horton pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Read more from the Chicago Tribune: Former Evanston D65 Superintendent Devon Horton changes plea to guilty in federal kickback case
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Evanston Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.