Former Ohio charter school leaders indicted for $8 million kickback scheme using Miami rental
Two former officials of an Ohio charter school have been charged in an $8 million fraud that diverted public education funds to pay $30,000-a-month rent on a Miami luxury property.
Federal prosecutors have charged Leondo Ramone Davenport, former superintendent of Dohn Community High School, and Jonathan Larry Ballew with orchestrating an $8 million fraud and kickback operation. According to the indictment, Ballew submitted false invoices to the nonprofit charter school, which Davenport approved, resulting in the school paying more than $8 million for a luxury vacation property near Miami at $30,000 per month.
Ballew allegedly returned over $4 million of those funds to Davenport as kickbacks. The scheme allegedly ran from 2021 through 2024, exploiting public education dollars intended for an addiction-recovery program. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald condemned the misuse of taxpayer resources, while Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber praised the coordinated effort of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and local law-enforcement. Attorney Adam Brown, who has represented Davenport, has not responded to requests for comment.
Why it matters
Misuse of public education funds erodes trust and deprives students of resources, highlighting the need for stronger oversight.
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