Dupage Policy Journal

An imposter website has been set up in the name of Hinsdale Township High School District 86 school board candidate Andrew “Drew” Catton.

Research reveals the website was created on the same date as that of opposing candidate Asma Akhras and uses the same platform used to create Akhras’ website. While it is unclear if Akhras was responsible for the imposter website, the coincidences in Akhras's campaign and the timing with which the website was created have been noted by observers.

“I've been in politics for over ten years and when I saw what happened with this bogus website, it strikes me as being political in nature,” Noel Manley, who is assisting Catton’s campaign, told DuPage Policy Journal. “Coincidence, perhaps, but I don't check my common sense at the door when you have when one of the candidates' websites being launched within hours on the same day is the bogus website. There [are] some red flags. Adding to that, both are on the same hosting website. Both were developed with the same development tool since perhaps, but I don't check my commonsense at the door.”

The bogus website – www.catton4d86.com – includes only the title “Who is Andrew Catton?” and underneath that an email Catton sent to the school district noting his disdain for the current leadership as well as social media posts. That website was set up on Dec. 15, 2022. 

The imposter website was registered with and hosted by godaddy.com and was developed using the WIX development platform. On Dec. 15, 2022, District 86 Board candidate Asma Akhras registered and hosted her campaign website www.asmaford86.com with godaddy.com. Asma’s site was also developed using the WIX development platform. The details of the websites were confirmed by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and Whois.com, of which both resources track website registry and development details.  

Catton’s actual website is www.catton486.com. It lists Catton’s key issues, including “District Leadership, Academic Proficiency, Fiscal Stewardship.” 

The website also notes his platform in a slideshow noting he will prioritize common sense solutions protecting our tradition of excellence in education; will ensure that data-driven decision-making restores best-in-class academic proficiency at both high schools; will champion relevant curriculum opportunities and drive merit-based scholarship back into the classroom; will bring operational excellence experience to D86 leadership to restore quality fiscal stewardship and require administrative accountability.

His website also includes “important election dates” such as March 20 as the first day of early voting, April 3 as the last day of early voting, and election day on April 4.

Catton was an outspoken parent before announcing his candidacy. He has been a critic of Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and the board, particularly regarding the decline in scholastic achievement under her leadership and critical race theory in the school system. 

Catton announced his candidacy in an October board meeting.

 "The district superintendent seems to be entangled in scandal after scandal, either about racially motivated stories disparaging the community or race-centered equity experiments that show zero evidence of improved student performance and reek of outside political motivations to fuel her own personal ambitions," Catton said at the time, Patch reported. "This activity drains the district of precious resources and time. It distracts from the primary mission and purposely drives division in the high school's community."