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Voucher Fraud for "Ghost" Kids — AGAIN?!
Ghost vouchers strike again: Arizona’s unaccountable ESA voucher program is once again the subject of a major fraud scandal. This time, it involves 43 fictitious “ghost” children who received $110,000 to attend fake schools [[link removed]] with taxpayer dollars — and from out-of-state fraudsters, no less! bit.ly/December9EdReport [bit.ly/December9EdReport]
A grand jury has indicted a Utah couple with 60 charges ranging from fraud, forgery, and conspiracy for allegedly using fake birth certificates, fake utility bills, and fake
leases to create voucher accounts for 50 children (43 fake and 7 real) over the past 2 years. All of the fraud occurred after the legislature expanded vouchers to all students in 2022.
Grifters gonna grift: As a reminder, Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office is already prosecuting two separate cases related to ESA voucher fraud [[link removed]] . One indictment from February alleged five people created fake birth certificates and disability diagnoses to enroll “ghost” children and others to defraud the program of more than $600,000. The other indictment involves 3 women who set up fake education vendors to defraud $88,000 from the voucher program.
Why is there so much room for fraud? When the Republican-led legislature passed universal vouchers, they refused to add any guardrails to defend against fraud or abuse of the program. In most other states, voucher programs include requirements that schools and vendors be accredited, that students are tracked by the state, and that expenditures are reviewed carefully. Arizona’s law, instead, is so wide you could drive a truck (or 43 ghost students) through it. By design.
Our take: Read our statement here [[link removed]] . “Arizona’s ESA voucher program is wide open for fraud and abuse— and the Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature has refused to add any oversight or accountability. Misuse and outright fraud will continue to abound until lawmakers add serious guardrails to this off-the-rails entitlement program.”
Full Weekly Education Report HERE [bit.ly/December9EdReport] .
SOSAZ IN THE NEWS
Read our op-ed [[link removed]] calling upon the Arizona legislature to do right by our students this year! [link removed] [[link removed]]
🔥”The incoming legislature has received a strong mandate from Arizona voters: fund our local public schools, stop the partisan attacks on education and put students first.
This means that, starting opening day of the Arizona State Legislature on Jan. 13, lawmakers should prioritize and protect public education. By renewing voter-approved Prop 123 [[link removed]] , lawmakers can preserve $300 million in yearly funding. By restoring the opportunity weight after it was slashed last year to pay for out-of-control vouchers [[link removed]] , students in the lowest-income areas across the state will benefit from over $60 million in critically needed academic supports. This can all be accomplished if the members of the legislature work together in a bipartisan way to support students.
It’s time for the Arizona legislature to get serious about funding our public schools, the centers of our communities. It’s time to stop playing political games with education — or every single one of us will pay the price now and long into the future. The voters have spoken: it’s time to support, protect and fund our schools.”
JOIN US!
We’re launching a book club! Join Save Our Schools Arizona Network's new Book Club! We’ll be reading and discussing books on issues critically important to our public schools and democracy. Our first book is Mothers of Massive Resistance: White Women & the Politics of White Supremacy [[link removed]] (order yours from Changing Hands Books or a local bookstore near you today!). [link removed] [[link removed]]
Our virtual discussions will be led by experts, and there will be plenty of ways to have fun, meet new people, and engage. You’ll benefit from the discussions even if you haven’t been able to read the whole book!
Our first meetings are Sunday Dec. 15th and Jan. 5th at 2pm. Join us! Sign up today and we will send instructions! Register here: [link removed] [[link removed]]
Volunteer Celebration Picnic! Join #TeamSOSAZ for a Volunteer Celebration Picnic on Sunday, January 26th in Phoenix! Be in community with other public education supporters for food and fun together. Please feel free to bring friends, family, and kids — all are welcome! [link removed] [[link removed]]
Register HERE [[link removed]] to get the latest updates on details and help us get a headcount for food! We will announce the picnic location soon, but mark your calendars!
It’s happening!! 🎉 Join us for our 2nd annual Celebration of Arizona’s Public Schools on March 29, 2025 at the Madison Performing Arts Center! Our special guest will be Jess Piper [[link removed]] , an incredible public education advocate from Missouri and TikTok superstar. We will have delicious food and drinks, student performances, awards for incredible educators, and so much more! Tickets are on sale now for $120. Get yours before they sell out [[link removed]] — and if you’re an educator or student, we welcome you to use the code EDUC8 to receive 50% off. See you there!!! [link removed] [[link removed]]
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Contact Us
[email protected]
Save Our Schools Arizona
PO Box 28370
Tempe, AZ 85285
United States
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