Successful Texas Basketball Coach Labeled ‘Ringleader’ In Texas Teacher Scandal

(11-4-24) A Houston (Texas) Independent School District employee Vincent Grayson (57), a teacher and the head basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School, has been described by prosecutors as the ringleader who helped educators fraudulently pass hundreds of tests to acquire teaching positions.

Grayson faces two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity: One felony count based on money laundering because the scheme allegedly yielded over $300,000; and engaging in organized criminal activity based on tampering with a government document stemming from the false statements made when the tests were administered.

Local leaders announce charges in alleged million-dollar teacher certification cheating scandal

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Grayson was usually paid $2,500 by teaching certification candidates to have their exams taken by an impersonator at testing centers, where he paid proctors about 20% of that sum to facilitate the cheating.

Grayson allegedly has made more than $1 million from the scheme.

The scheme began to unravel in 2023, when the Texas Education Agency “became aware of certain irregularities” at one Houston testing center. A former coach in the district who was applying for a job as a police officer in another part of the state had what prosecutors called “an attack of conscience” and notified the education agency.

Grayson had a very successful coaching career at Washington.