50 smart tablets, 12 AirPods, 12 beginner Bibles: Examples of serial duplicate ESA buyers

PHOENIX — Amid new revelations of education voucher misspending, Arizona’s Republican majority at the legislature has shown no inclination to create stricter laws. A 12News review of millions of ESA purchases shows misspending that includes Disneyland vacations and international hotel stays.

The latest analysis by 12News shows what could be described as “serial duplicate purchasers.” These are parents who purchase multiple identical items under one student’s ESA account. For example:

• One ESA account holder purchased more than 50 smart tablets between 2023-2025. They also bought a $450 beanbag chair.
• One ESA account holder bought 8 Apple computers, 22 I-Pads, and 3 Samsung Galaxy tablets.
• One ESA account holder bought a 12 air pods and several smart tablets
• One ESA account holder bought four high-powered gaming laptops each costing between $2,900 and $4,700
• One ESA account holder bought identical “Bluey” media purchases, including five copies of “Bluey Camping” and five copies of “Bluey at the Beach.” That same account holder bought three copies of “God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender” and at least 12 copies of “The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible.”
• One ESA account holder bought six mini beanbag chairs at $150 each and five other beanbag chairs at $230 each
• One ESA account holder bought multiple identical curriculum kits

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said his office refers evidence of fraud to state and county prosecutors. However, there is no indication that these kinds of ESA account holders are being prosecuted. 

Other examples of misspending, such as cell phone and resort park purchases (which are clearly prohibited in the ESA handbook), are also not being referred to prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said they reviewed one case involving multiple duplicate tech purchases, but there was no likelihood of conviction.

“While it raises oversight questions and is certainly inappropriate, it is not disallowed under state statute,” said Richie Taylor.

Mayes’ office has received 21 referrals since 2023, and 10 remain open. Four cases have resulted in charges. Six cases involving parents paying themselves with ESA funds are ongoing.

A spokesperson for County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said her office received cases from Horne’s office involving paperwork inconsistencies that could be fraud or forgery. However, the spokesperson said they have not reviewed cases involving misspent funds.

“It’s important to distinguish that abuse of the system does not necessarily mean that criminal fraud has occurred,” said Erin Pelett. “Systemic fixes to any ESA program abuse are a legislative matter, and not a prosecutorial one.”

There appears to be little appetite among Republicans to create new guardrails.

Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro declined to answer questions.

Meanwhile, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said 20 ESA reform bills proposed by Democrats have gone nowhere.

“Governor Hobbs has proposed multiple reforms to increase oversight, accountability, and transparency,” said spokesperson Liliana Soto. “Her Executive Budget this session includes measures to stop taxpayer dollars from funding luxury purchases like lingerie, diamond rings, and jet ski rentals.”

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