Dr. Devon Horton, a former superintendent of DeKalb County Schools in Georgia, is under renewed investigation following revelations of a staggering $2,600 Chick-fil-A order paid with a taxpayer-funded credit card.
Horton’s use of public funds included an astonishing $120,000 spent on meals and various purchases, raising eyebrows among officials and citizens alike.
As reported by WSB-TV, the records outline his lavish expenses, such as an $11,000 bill during a visit to Sam’s Club, an $8,700 tab at Jason’s Deli, $4,500 and $3,100 from two visits to Bambinelli’s Italian Restaurant, $3,000 at Honey Baked Ham, and the notable $2,600 at Chick-fil-A.
Over a span of two years, Horton managed to accumulate more than $120,000 on the district’s purchasing card without needing prior school board approval, as per district guidelines.
This unchecked spending has prompted state officials to question the oversight mechanisms in place, while the school district has initiated a forensic audit to scrutinize Horton’s financial activities, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and responsible use of funds.
State officials questioned how the spending went unchecked, while the school district has launched a forensic audit into Horton’s use of public funds and says it remains committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility.
The spending revelations come as Horton faces mounting legal trouble on multiple fronts including a federal indictment in Illinois on fraud and embezzlement, a recent domestic violence arrest in Georgia, and an ongoing forensic audit into his use of district funds.
Dr. Devon Horton, the former superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, spent more than $120,000 on a DeKalb County Schools purchasing card over a two-year period, records show
Horton is alleged to have charged $2,600 in a single transaction at Chick-fil-A
Horton resigned from DeKalb County Schools in October, 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.
Horton’s spending in Georgia surfaced after he was indicted in October 2025 by a federal grand jury in Chicago on 17 felony counts, including wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion.
Prosecutors allege that while serving as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois he issued more than $280,000 in contracts to three longtime associates between 2020 and 2023 and received more than $80,000 in kickbacks in return.
The indictment further alleges Horton stole more than $30,000 from the Illinois district by using a purchasing card to buy personal meals, gift cards, vehicle expenses and travel, and then failed to report the income on his tax returns.
Horton pleaded not guilty to all charges with his next status hearing in Illinois scheduled for February 4. He faces more than 10 years if convicted.
Last week, Horton was arrested 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, where he remained until Monday morning.
A police spokesperson said officers responded to Horton’s $735,000, six bedroom home after receiving a domestic violence call.
Horton has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges and is scheduled for a status hearing on February 4
Horton was arrested in Georgia on charges of aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the third degree after a domestic violence call last weekend
Horton was booked into the DeKalb County Jail at 1:38pm on Saturday, according to jail records
An arrest warrant obtained by Decaturish alleges Horton placed his hand on his wife’s neck during the dispute.
His wife told officers she felt like she was going to faint. A five-year-old child in the home told police he saw Horton put his hand around her neck and push her toward a wall.
Police said there were no visible injuries. Horton’s attorney Terence Campbell disputed the characterization of the incident.
‘No child was involved in the argument in any way, other than the mere fact they were at home when it occurred,’ Campbell said. ‘Dr. Horton is a loving and devoted father to his children.’
A district spokesperson said DeKalb County Schools ‘remain committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the appropriate stewardship of public funds.’
The spokesperson confirmed the board approved a forensic audit into Horton’s spending less than a month after his resignation yet months later, the results of that audit have still not been released.
The school district also emphasized the arrest was unrelated to its operations.
‘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,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.’
