New York state Sen. Shirley Huntley, 74, has been indicted for allegedly falsifying records for $30,000 in taxpayer-funded education services that were never performed, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced Monday.
The indictment supersedes an earlier one against the senator, and also charges two close associates, Huntley’s personal aide and her niece, along with another individual, for their involvement in the alleged scam.
The charges relate to Parent Workshop Inc., a nonprofit Huntley founded to hold workshops for and conduct outreach to public-school parents.
According to the indictment, the aide and president of Parent Workshop, Patricia Savage, and niece, Lynn Smith, submitted fraudulent documents to the state of New York to obtain almost $30,000 in public money from a legislative member item Huntley sponsored.
The indictment alleges that the pair never had any intention of holding workshops and pocketed the $29,950 the Department of State paid Parent Workshop.
“Public service is a privilege and a trust that should never be violated,” DiNapoli said in a statement.
Upon learning of a probe into the workshops, Huntley allegedly personally falsified a template for a backdated letter to convince investors the organization had conducted workshops that were never held. She then submitted the letter to the Attorney General’s Office in response to a subpoena.
Defendant David R. Gantt was also charged for falsifying records saying he was paid in cash to conduct workshops as a consultant. The indictment further charges that he did not conduct any workshops. Gantt is charged with four counts of tampering with physical evidence, four counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, and one count of conspiracy in the fifth degree.
“Falsifying documents, conspiracy, and deliberately tampering with an open investigation are serious crimes. The individuals who schemed to profit at the taxpayers’ expense and cover it up will be held accountable,” Schneiderman said in a statement.
Huntley is charged with the felonies of tampering with physical evidence and falsifying business records in the first degree, and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a misdemeanor. Each felony carries a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. A conviction would result in her automatic removal from office.
Huntley represents the 10th Senate District, and lives in Jamaica, Queens, with her husband. She is a mother and grandmother.
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