The truth about Arizona’s school choice program fraud

Published April 23, 2026 9:00am ET



School choice programs in recent years have been marred by allegations of fraud from critics who argue they are rife with bad actors looking to get rich off state dollars.

Whether it is “fly-by-night” private schools, negligent parents looking to make a quick buck, or high-profile stories about questionable Education Savings Accounts purchases — such as LEGO sets, despite being a small percentage of transactions and LEGO having an educational arm that public schools use regularly — the narrative suggests programs are being taken advantage of by everyone except the students and families seeking educational opportunities that suit their needs.

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