East Aurora District 131 school board member Annette Johnson responds to fraud allegations

East Aurora School District 131 board member Annette Johnson maintains her innocence while she faces federal charges related to her allegedly devising a fraud scheme involving a $2.7 million air purifier purchase for the school district.

In a statement Monday, Johnson addressed the allegations, saying she intends to defend herself through the process.

Johnson has served on East Aurora’s school board for almost two decades. She previously served as the board’s president, but was ousted last year by current board president Juan Sifuentes.

Last week, court documents were filed alleging that, while she was serving as the school board’s president, Johnson accepted a payment of about $1.3 million from a reseller to a company she was working for in exchange for using her position on the school board to help get a $2.7 million purchase of air purifiers from the reseller approved. The $2.7 million came from district COVID-19 relief funds.

The alleged scheme occurred between August 2021 and May 2023, according to the criminal complaint. A grand jury approved the charges in November 2025.

Johnson allegedly influenced district school board members to approve the purchase, including arranging a meeting between the reseller’s CEO and district officials, according to the complaint. The complaint also alleges various communications between Johnson and business representatives about the purchase.

In 2021, Johnson was paid in excess of $7,500 in connection with her work for the companies, including the one that had received the payment from the reselling company, according to court documents. The complaint further alleges that Johnson did not list the companies as a source of income on her statement of economic interest filed with Kane County.

She now faces federal fraud-related charges in connection with the alleged scheme.

Johnson’s counsel indicated last week that she intends to plead not guilty in the case.

On Monday, in a statement provided to The Beacon-News by Vision M.A.I. Consulting, Johnson said that the federal indictment has “understandably raised serious questions,” and that she does not take the concerns of residents, parents, and taxpayers lightly.

“Supporting our students and families has been among the most meaningful responsibilities of my public service,” Johnson’s statement read. “I understand that serving this community requires accountability, sound judgment, and respect for the public’s trust.”

In the statement, Johnson said there are “limits to what (she) can responsibly address publicly,” given that legal proceedings are pending.

But Johnson said in the statement that she maintains her innocence with regard to the criminal charges and intends to “vigorously defend” herself.

“I take these allegations seriously,” Johnson said in the statement, “but I will not allow them to define me or erase the years of service and commitment I have devoted to this community.”

Last week, the district’s school board and superintendent indicated that they would continue to fully cooperate with authorities in any continued investigation into the matter, but a district spokesman declined to comment on Johnson’s status on the board in light of the allegations. Her term is set to expire in April 2029, per the district’s website.

Since the charges surfaced, Aurora Mayor John Laesch has called on Johnson to resign from her seat on the board and from her position as executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.

In Monday’s statement, Johnson pushed back on some of the public discussion that has occurred since the charges were filed.

“To those who insist on demonizing me and attacking my character, I will not surrender my dignity or engage in a public battle of accusations,” Johnson said. “My reputation may be the subject of public debate, but my guilt or innocence will not be decided at a podium.”

As the proceedings move forward, Johnson said she will “approach (her) public responsibilities with the seriousness they deserve,” adding that she is “committed to facing this process with dignity, resolve, and confidence in (her) right to a fair hearing.”

Johnson is set to appear in court on Nov. 9, according to court documents.

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com