As expected, former Senator Shirley Huntley pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges today, and now faces a sentence of up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The charges stem from a Queens non-profit that received government funds–earmarked by Ms. Huntley–to educate parents about the city’s public school system. However, according to federal prosecutors, approximately $87,700 of the cash instead went for her personal use.
“Huntley’s experience and influence were supposed to be used for the benefit of her constituents. Instead, Huntley used her knowledge of the system to steal funds intended to help some of her neediest constituents, lining her own pockets at the expense of parents in need, and ultimately their children,” United States Attorney Lynch said in a statement. “She will now be held to account for her crime. This guilty plea underscores our unwavering commitment to hold responsible those who abuse their authority and pursue their own financial interests instead of the public interest.”
Ms. Huntley lost reelection last summer after Attorney General Eric Schneiderman accused her of falsifying business records, conspiracy and tampering with an investigation in what Mr. Schneiderman called “a scheme to steal taxpayer money using a sham nonprofit that did not provide any services to the public whatsoever.”
View today’s charges against Ms. Huntley below:
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