Attorney General, Comptroller Announce Indictments in Member Item Fraud

The Attorney General and Comptroller announced the indictment today of four people connected to a Queens non-profit established by State Senator Shirley Huntley (D-Queens).  The four were indicted today on charges that they funneled the member item funds to themselves.  Among those indicted were Patricia Savage, an aide to Senator Huntley, and Lynn Smith, the Senator’s niece.

The indictment alleges that the president and treasurer of the Parent Workshop, Inc., submitted fraudulent documents to the state to obtain $29,950.  They allegedly took the money for themselves after submitting a fraudulent contract and five fake vouchers.

Savage and Smith were each charged with 11 counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. The two other defendants were charged with falsifying documents to cover up the theft.

Senator Huntley has not been charged.  Earlier this year, there was a news report of a federal investigation into member items that she had sponsored.

In his statement, Attorney General Schneiderman said:

“The charges announced today send a strong message that those who abuse their positions to rip off taxpayers will be prosecuted. My office’s partnership with the Comptroller is designed to combat such corruption, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect every penny of taxpayer money during these challenging economic times.”

This appears to be the first indictment arising out of the joint task force on public integrity announced in May by the Attorney General and Comptroller (see earlier post).