In a sprawling teacher certification fraud scandal in Texas, five people have been charged for orchestrating an elaborate cheating scheme that certified more than 200 unqualified teachers statewide. The alleged ringleader, Vincent Grayson, head basketball coach at Houston's Booker T. Washington High School, reportedly earned over $1 million by coordinating proxies to take certification exams for prospective teachers, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
Prosecutors revealed that the scheme involved candidates paying $2,500 to have proxies impersonate them during certification exams at two Houston-based testing centers. Grayson allegedly bribed test proctors to enable proxies to replace the original test-takers, resulting in the completion of more than 400 fraudulent exams. "These actions jeopardize the integrity of our education system, putting unqualified teachers in classrooms," Ogg said during a Monday press conference. She emphasized the scope and duration of the operation, which spanned from May 2020 through early 2023.
Grayson, 57, along with four co-conspirators, faces two felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. Among his alleged accomplices are Nicholas Newton, an assistant principal who served as a proxy test-taker; LaShonda Roberts, another assistant principal accused of recruiting teachers for the scheme; and two proctors, Tywana Gilford Mason and Darian Nikole Wilhite, who are suspected of accepting bribes to allow the cheating.
The investigation uncovered more than 210 fraudulent teacher certifications, with the scheme largely exposed due to an informant's tip. According to Ogg, a former coach applying to be a police officer elsewhere in Texas experienced "an attack of conscience" and informed authorities about the scheme, prompting a full investigation. Investigators were able to connect digital footprints, including Zelle and CashApp accounts, to Grayson and other defendants, building a comprehensive case against those involved.
Assistant District Attorney Mike Levine detailed how Grayson's system operated, describing a well-coordinated process in which test-takers would arrive, show ID, and sign in before quickly leaving. Minutes later, Newton would take their place to complete the exams. Newton, who is accused of taking an estimated 430 exams, reportedly earned $188,000 for his involvement. He was eventually apprehended "red-handed" during a testing session, where investigators observed him taking two certification exams in one day. Following his arrest, Newton confessed to his role, as did at least 20 teachers who benefited from the fraud.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), which oversees public education and teacher certifications in Texas, initiated its own investigation into the scandal following the arrests. "They are going to go over every teacher, I'm sure, and take whatever action they see fit if they believe someone fraudulently obtained a certification," Levine stated, noting that the agency intends to reexamine credentials of any educators connected to the scheme.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD), where several of the accused were employed, announced that it is fully cooperating with authorities and took immediate disciplinary action. Alexandra Elizondo, HISD's chief spokesperson, said, "If it is determined that any teachers currently working in HISD participated in this scheme or passed their certification exams fraudulently, we will take swift action to terminate their employment with the District."
In court, Grayson was ordered to wear an electronic monitor and was forbidden from being within 200 feet of any teacher testing site in Harris County. His bond was set at $300,000, while Newton remains in jail on a $200,000 bond. Roberts, who allegedly directed more than 90 teachers to participate in the scheme, posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court next month. Prosecutors allege that Roberts personally funneled over $267,000 to Grayson, often taking a cut from teachers she referred.
The DA's office disclosed that Grayson paid Mason, a test proctor at one of the Houston centers, approximately $125,000 to enable proxy test-taking by falsifying exam records. The fraudulent exams were initially held at the Houston Training and Education Center (HTEC), but when it was closed in 2023, Grayson shifted operations to another site called TACTIX, where Wilhite, a young proctor, allegedly accepted $250 bribes to facilitate the cheating scheme.
As the TEA reviews the certification protocols and investigates further, the fallout from the scandal may continue to expand. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who announced the grand jury indictments, underscored the serious implications of the scandal, particularly as it involved "at least two individuals with histories of predatory behavior" who gained access to students under false pretenses.
Officials urged anyone with additional information to come forward as they continue to probe the depth of the operation. Meanwhile, defense attorneys for some of the accused are preparing to contest the charges. Brandon Leonard, representing Roberts, called the accusations "unsubstantiated claims" and promised to defend his client vigorously in court, stating, "Ms. Roberts looks forward to her day in court, where we're confident the truth will come to light."
