Charter School Founders Accused of Massive Fraud

Preliminary hearings have begun in case based in part on an investigative audit claiming trio pocketed millions in public education funds.

Former owners of Epic Youth Services Ben Harris (L) and David Chaney (R) enter the District Court of Oklahoma County in Oklahoma City with Mr. Chaney's lawyer, Gary Wood (C) on March 28, 2024. Michael Clements/The Epoch Times

OKLAHOMA CITY—Prosecutors are accusing three men of bilking Oklahoma out of millions of dollars in public school funds through a charter school plan that one of the defendants told a state district court prioritized income.

Lawyers from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office began outlining their case during preliminary hearings March 25–March 29 in the District Court of Oklahoma County, in Oklahoma City.