D.C.’s attorney general filed lawsuits against six Maryland families accusing them of defrauding the D.C. government by lying about where they lived in order to get their kids into high-demand public schools without paying tuition.
Parents from Maryland and Virginia lying about where they live so they get their kids into high performing D.C. public schools like Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Hardy Middle School and McKinley Tech has been a problem for years.
While D.C. residents are given priority for enrollment at D.C. public schools, out-of-state students are allowed to attend, but they have to pay tuition.
Attorney General Karl Racine filed lawsuits against six Prince George’s County families Wednesday.
“It’s really important that D.C. residents and D.C. kids get the first shot to attend D.C. schools,” he said.
He said his office is aggressively going after the parents who lie to avoid paying tuition.
“We need to send a message that nonresident tuition fraud needs to stop,” Racine said.
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Wednesday’s court filing accuses six parents of fraud, involving 10 students and seven schools.
The attorney general seeks $700,000 in tuition and damages and $450,000 in penalties.
One family is accused of lying in order to get food stamp benefits.
“The folks who steal food stamps make it harder for people who need food stamps,” Racine said.
He expects more lawsuits to be filled as his office investigates more cases.
