Federal prosecutors have indicted four individuals connected to Impact Charter School in Baker, Louisiana, accusing them of participating in a years-long scheme to misuse school funds for personal expenses, luxury vehicles, travel, and private real estate transactions.
A federal grand jury returned criminal indictments against former Impact Charter School Chief Executive Officer Chakesha Scott, her husband Eric Scott, her daughter Courtney Scott, and contractor Sam Green, owner of Sam Green and Sons.
According to federal investigators, the alleged fraud took place between June 2018 and December 2024, involving money from Impact Charter School and the nonprofit organization Friends of Impact Charter School, which shared board members with the school.
Federal Investigators Allege Long-Running Conspiracy
Prosecutors charged the four defendants with conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, alleging they worked together over several years to divert school money for personal benefit.
Authorities claim Chakesha Scott used multiple methods to move school funds into accounts she controlled or to disguise personal spending as legitimate school expenses.
Investigators also allege that members of her family and a contractor benefited from the scheme.
Contractor Accused of Billing School for Private Property Work
According to the indictment, between March 2019 and August 2023, contractor Sam Green billed Impact Charter School for construction work that prosecutors say was actually performed at a personal property owned by Chakesha and Eric Scott.
Federal authorities allege the school paid for improvements unrelated to its educational operations.
Nearly Half a Million Dollars Allegedly Moved to Nonprofit Accounts
Investigators claim that during the summer of 2020, Chakesha Scott transferred approximately $458,200 from Impact Charter School into bank accounts controlled by the nonprofit Friends of Impact Charter School.
Prosecutors allege the transfers were part of a broader effort to redirect school funds for unauthorized purposes.
Alleged Contractor Payment Scheme Exceeded $100,000
Federal prosecutors further allege that between 2020 and May 2024, Scott overpaid a contractor using school funds.
According to investigators, the contractor then redirected more than $100,000 back to Scott and one of her family members, allowing them to personally benefit from school money.
School Funds Allegedly Used to Purchase Luxury Vehicles
Court documents accuse Chakesha Scott of using school funds to purchase two luxury vehicles after June 2021.
Investigators say the vehicles included:
- A 2017 Acura MDX
- A 2021 Land Rover
Authorities estimate approximately $166,520 in school money was used to acquire the vehicles for Scott and her daughter, Courtney Scott.
School Money Allegedly Used in Private Real Estate Deal
Prosecutors also allege that in September 2022, Scott used approximately $171,659 from an Impact Charter School bank account to pay closing costs for a real estate transaction in which the school had no ownership interest or involvement.
Federal investigators say the payment improperly benefited a private property transaction.
Lease Payments Allegedly Diverted Through Nonprofit
Another allegation involves lease payments collected between September 2022 and April 2024.
According to prosecutors, Scott redirected approximately $2.08 million in lease payments to Friends of Impact Charter School.
Investigators claim the nonprofit ultimately received about $846,048 more than what was actually required to cover mortgage obligations.
Personal Travel Expenses Charged to School Credit Cards
The indictment alleges that between July 2022 and June 2023, Chakesha and Eric Scott charged approximately $114,094 in personal travel expenses to school-issued credit cards.
Federal prosecutors claim the expenses were unrelated to school business and represented unauthorized use of school funds.
Uniform and Activity Fees Allegedly Misappropriated
Investigators also accuse Chakesha and Eric Scott of diverting $292,993 collected from families for school uniforms and student activities.
According to prosecutors, those fees, paid by parents for educational purposes, were instead used for personal benefit.
Money Laundering Charge Linked to Tesla Purchase
The indictment includes a money laundering charge related to the purchase of a 2018 Tesla.
Federal authorities allege that in May 2023, Chakesha Scott used approximately $42,371 in school funds to purchase a cashier’s check, which was then used to buy the vehicle.
Investigation Followed Critical State Audit
The criminal case follows a Louisiana state audit that previously concluded Chakesha Scott improperly used school funds for personal travel and other private expenses.
Scott later stepped away from her leadership responsibilities after the audit’s findings became public.
State Education Board Replaced School Leadership
Following the audit, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) removed the school’s existing governing board.
The board then appointed a state-selected group to oversee Impact Charter School’s operations and restore financial oversight.
School Experienced Temporary Payroll Problems
The investigation also led to operational challenges for the school.
According to reports, the school’s bank temporarily froze access to its accounts after questions arose regarding whether Scott still had the authority to approve financial transactions.
The temporary freeze created a short-lived payroll crisis before account access issues were resolved.
Criminal Case Moves Forward
The federal indictment outlines numerous allegations involving conspiracy, theft concerning federally funded programs, and money laundering.
The charges remain allegations, and all four defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Federal prosecutors will now continue pursuing the case as it moves through the judicial process.
