Overview

• Three former Arizona Department of Education workers and two relatives face charges for defrauding over $600,000 by creating 'ghost students'.
• The scheme involved forging birth certificates and special education evaluations to inflate voucher funds.
• Critics argue the voucher program's lack of oversight makes it susceptible to abuse, while supporters defend its value in offering educational choice.
• The fraud has prompted calls for tighter controls and a reevaluation of the program's structure.
• The case has highlighted the broader debate over the impact of voucher programs on public education funding and accountability.