ESA universal voucher program and its future

The Arizona Attorney General has indicted an out-of-state couple for defrauding the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) universal voucher program. The couple submitted applications for 50 children, 43 of whom do not exist, according to the Attorney General’s office.

According to the indictment, Johnny Lee Bowers and Ashley Meredith Hewitt, aka Ashley Hopkins, used the fraudulently-gained funds to pay for living expenses in Colorado. The fraud began in December 2022, and the couple amassed $110,258.28 through the scheme. The couple is thought to live in Utah.

Dave Wells, Research Director at the Grand Canyon Institute, a bi-partisan think tank, said the case raises significant financial integrity questions related to the ESA universal voucher program. It also illustrates the need for the reforms the Grand Canyon Institute called for initially this summer, if the program were to continue.