Phoenix Man Indicted for Allegedly Diverting $8 Million in Student Funds for Lavish Lifestyle
Jonathan Larry Ballew, 62, of Phoenix, and Leondo Ramone Davenport, 50, of Cincinnati, were arrested by federal agents and indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that Ballew helped divert $8 million in funds intended for students to finance a lavish lifestyle. Davenport, who served as superintendent of Dohn Community High School in Cincinnati from 2015 to 2019 and later ran the school through a limited liability company until 2024, is accused of approving fraudulent invoices from at least four companies set up by Ballew. These companies purportedly provided educational services, staffing, technology, and construction work to the school. Between 2021 and 2024, Davenport allegedly authorized over $8 million in payments to Ballew's companies, with Ballew subsequently paying more than $4 million back to Davenport as kickbacks. The diverted funds were reportedly used to acquire luxury items, including high-end cars and a vacation property near Miami re... 
