Crime in Harris County: Felony charges filed in massive teacher certification fraud scheme

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – In a shocking announcement on Monday, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced charges against five individuals accused of orchestrating an illegal cheating scheme that could have granted unearned certifications to as many as 400 teachers across Texas.

According to Mike Levine, head of the DA Office’s Public Corruption Division, the ringleader of the operation is believed to have netted well over $1 million through this elaborate scheme.

Those who will be charged:

Vincent Grayson, 57: Head boys basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD. Grayson is charged as the organizer of the deception operation.
Tywana Gilford Mason, 51: Former director and VA certification officer at the Houston Training and Education Center. Mason allegedly used her position as a test proctor to conceal the proxy scheme.
Nicholas Newton, 35: Assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School. Newton is accused of participating in the scheme by acting as a proxy test taker.
Darian Nikole Wilhite, 22: A proctor at TACTIX who allegedly accepted bribes to enable Newton’s actions as a testing proxy.
LaShonda Roberts, 39: Assistant principal at Yates High School. Roberts is accused of recruiting nearly 100 teachers to participate in the fraud scheme.

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All five suspects face two charges of participating in organized criminal activity.