Five people, including employees of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), have been arrested for allegedly running a $1 million teacher certification scheme. This scheme involved a teacher impersonator taking exams in place of actual applicants, with a corrupt testing proctor facilitating the fraud.
More than 200 unqualified teachers were certified through this scheme and have worked or are currently working in Texas public schools. The individuals involved in the scheme include Vincent Grayson, identified as the “kingpin,” Tywana Gilford Mason, Nicholas Newton, LaShonda Roberts, and Darian Nikole Wilhite, all connected to HISD.
The scheme was uncovered when a former coach, applying for a police officer position elsewhere, came forward to authorities with information. The DA’s office estimates that $1.09 million was made from the scheme, with several individuals receiving payments for their roles.
The school district has taken immediate action to address the situation, cooperating with law enforcement and state agencies to investigate further. The scheme has raised concerns about the moral compass of educators who are meant to influence children’s behavior. The investigation continues, with efforts to identify any other individuals involved and take appropriate action against those who participated in the fraud.
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