Authorities allege million-dollar teacher certification scheme in Houston
Five people have been arrested after organizing and conducting an illegal fake teacher certification scheme that made at least $1 million in Houston, local prosecutors said on Monday.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said that under the scheme, a teacher impersonator would take the certification exam and put the real potential educator’s name on the test, with a corrupt test administrator allowing the cheating to occur.
Each of the five individuals, who either previously worked or currently work at Houston Independent School District (HISD), were charged with two counts each of engaging in organized criminal activity.
The basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School was at the head of the operation, according to Ogg, and made around $1 million from it.
"The extent of this scheme will never be fully known, but we know that at least 400 tests were taken and at least 200 teachers falsely certified," Ogg said.
The investigation went back to May 2020, and officials say that at least two of the educators who were falsely certified were "sexual predators.”
"HISD was made aware of the investigation into an alleged cheating conspiracy shortly before arrests were made. Any educator who engages in conduct of this nature abdicates their responsibility to our students and to our staff and represents a complete betrayal of the public trust. HISD will cooperate fully with the Texas Education Agency and state and local law enforcement as the investigation progresses. All three of these employees have been arrested and will be receiving notifications relieving them of their duties effective immediately,” said Alexandra Elizondo, chief of public affairs and communication at the district.
“Additionally, if it is determined that any teachers currently working in HISD participated in this scheme or passed their certification exams fraudulently, we will take swift action to terminate their employment with the District,” she added.
-
Helicopter crashes into radio tower in Houston, killing 4 on board
Top stories - CBS News - October 21 -
Examining the election challenge and certification process
Top stories - CBS News - 19 hours ago -
Georgia judge rules certification of election results is 'mandatory'
Top stories - ABC News - October 15 -
What to Know About the Looming Election Certification Crisis
Top stories - The New York Times - 5 days ago -
FBI warns of election-related fraud schemes
Politics - The Hill - 3 hours ago -
Israel claims Hezbollah bunker under Beirut hospital holds millions of dollars
World - The Guardian - October 21 -
Trump, Harris race draws millions of dollars to politics betting sites
Politics - The Hill - October 22 -
New Justice Department scrutiny of Musk's million dollar giveaway plan
Politics - NBC News - 6 days ago -
LA Archdiocese agrees to $880 million settlement for alleged child sex abuse victims
Top stories - CBS News - October 17
More from The Hill
-
17-year prison sentence sought for Pentagon secrets leaker
Politics - The Hill - 29 minutes ago -
Over 100 researchers call for pause in Musk Starlink launches
Politics - The Hill - 31 minutes ago -
Large herbivores have been living in Yellowstone for 2,300 years: Study
Politics - The Hill - 42 minutes ago -
Emmer calls Walz 'Kamala's emotional support animal'
Politics - The Hill - 43 minutes ago -
Trump to supporters after Biden remarks: 'They've treated you like garbage'
Politics - The Hill - 45 minutes ago
Latest in Politics
-
Trump and his allies ramp up election fraud allegations in Pennsylvania
Politics - NBC News - 23 minutes ago -
17-year prison sentence sought for Pentagon secrets leaker
Politics - The Hill - 29 minutes ago -
Over 100 researchers call for pause in Musk Starlink launches
Politics - The Hill - 31 minutes ago -
Large herbivores have been living in Yellowstone for 2,300 years: Study
Politics - The Hill - 42 minutes ago -
Emmer calls Walz 'Kamala's emotional support animal'
Politics - The Hill - 43 minutes ago