PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two out-of-state residents have been convicted in connection with a fraud investigation involving Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that on Tuesday, Johnny Bowers and Ashley Hewitt, a.k.a. Ashley Hopkins, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of fraudulent schemes and artifices. Bowers also pleaded guilty to one count of forgery. Each plea was accepted by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.

“Fraud in the ESA program will not be tolerated,” said Mayes. “Those who exploit government systems for personal gain will be held accountable. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute fraud and protect taxpayer dollars.”

The state’s ESA program allows Arizona parents to use a portion of public

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