Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the sentencing of two individuals involved in a fraud case related to the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program. Jadakah Johnson, 21, and Raymond Johnson Jr., 20, both from Phoenix, were found to have unlawfully received ESA funds despite not being eligible for them. The funds were identified as proceeds from a fraud scheme or theft.
The two defendants entered guilty pleas on January 17, 2025, admitting to Facilitation to Commit Money Laundering. On February 13, 2025, they were each sentenced to three years of supervised probation. Additionally, they are required to pay restitution totaling $196,526.33.