HOUSTON – As we continue to learn more about a cheating scandal involving several educators, a respected Houston ISD coach and suspected ringleader in the scheme, was arrested and had his bond set at $300,000.
BACKGROUND: 200 unqualified teachers certified in $1M Houston-based cheating scheme
Vincent Grayson was recently nominated for High School Coach of the Year at the Houston Sports Awards and was said to have an impact on the basketball court at Booker T. Washington High School by leading their team to the first-ever UIL state tournament in 2023.
He is now charged and named the ‘kingpin’ in a scheme that allowed nearly 200 unqualified teachers to work in local school districts. It started around 2020, which essentially involved securing teaching positions for individuals who did not meet certification requirements and falsifying their credentials, according to the Harris County DA’s Office. He pocketed more than $1 million from the scandal.
MORE: Booker T. Washington HS coach identified as ‘kingpin’ in million dollar teacher cheating scheme
During his court appearance Tuesday, Grayson’s bond was set at $150,000 on two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity — totaling $300,000.
Along with Grayson, several other educators — most from Houston ISD — were arrested. Two other assistant principals: LaShonda Roberts and Nicholas Newton appeared in court Tuesday morning. The latter was an AP at the same high school where Grayson coached.
Here’s a full list of the educators charged with two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity:
- Vincent Grayson, 57, the head boys basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD for nearly 20 years. Grayson was charged as the organizer of the cheating scheme.
- Tywana Gilford Mason, 51, the former director/VA certifying official at the Houston Training and Education Center. Mason’s role as test proctor allowed her to keep the proxy scheme undetected.
- Nicholas Newton, 35, an assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston ISD. Newton is alleged to have participated in the scheme as the proxy test-taker.
- Darian Nikole Wilhite, 22, a proctor at TACTIX who is alleged to have taken bribes to allow Newton to act as a testing proxy.
- LaShonda Roberts, 39, an assistant principal at Yates High School in Houston ISD. Roberts is charged with recruiting nearly 100 teachers to participate in the cheating scheme.
Additionally, Grayson and the two assistant principals, who showed up in court Tuesday have been fired, HISD confirmed in a statement.
“All three of these employees have been arrested and will be receiving notifications relieving them of their duties effective immediately.”