Arizona Indicts Pair for $110,000 School Voucher Fraud Scheme

Two out-of-state residents face 60 felony charges for falsifying applications to Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt, also known as Ashley Hopkins, are accused of creating fake identities for 43 non-existent children to fraudulently obtain public funds.
The duo allegedly submitted falsified documents such as birth certificates, utility bills, and lease agreements between December 2022 and May 2024.
The fraudulent applications secured over $110,000, which was reportedly spent on personal living expenses in Colorado.
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which allows families to use public school funds for private education, has faced criticism over its oversight and rising costs.
The indictment follows increased scrutiny of the program under Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who has pledged to address fraud and misuse of funds.