Former PTA Exec Accused of Stealing $41K for Gambling, Shopping

A former parent teacher association (PTA) president in New York is facing charges after allegedly stealing more than $41,000 to use for personal expenditures, including gambling.

Suspect Is Facing Two Charges

Earlier this week, the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that the former PTA president at P.S. 166 in Astoria is facing two charges for a suspected theft of a sum north of $41,000 from the school’s PTA.

The former president, a 33-year-old Greenvale resident identified with the initials A.G., was appointed to her role in July 2023. It is suspected that her first theft occurred in December last year. Abusing the trust placed in her, the suspect allegedly stole a total of $41,315.87 after depositing seven checks belonging to the PTA.

Earlier this week, A.G. appeared for her arraignment in front of Judge Julieta Lozano. Following her recent appearance in court, A.G. was ordered to return on December 3.

Currently, the 33-year-old former PTA president is facing two charges: one for criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree and one for grand larceny in the third degree. In case A.G. is found guilty, she may be looking at a prison sentence between 2 years and four months up to seven years maximum.

Still, the defendant is yet to plea on the charges and undergo sentencing. This means that charges or convictions are merely allegations before proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Former PTA President Abused the Trust Placed in Her

District Attorney Katz said that the former PTA president was trusted with PTA’s funds, but she allegedly abused that trust and used the funds for personal expenditures. Citing the allegations, Katz said that the defendant used PTA money to buy personal trips to Kalahari Resorts and Six Flags Great Adventure, among other expenses.

“For more than nine months, she used the organization as her own personal checking account and ultimately stole more than $41,000,” added the District Attorney. While Katz said that the stolen money belonged to the school, vowing that her office is committed to recovering those funds while ensuring the defendant is held responsible for her actions.

“This money was raised by P.S. 166 families to help the school and its students. My office will work to restore those funds and hold this defendant accountable for her breach of trust.“

Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney

The first check allegedly stolen by the former PTA president was for $1,564.87. It was drawn from the PTA’s bank account and deposited into the woman’s personal bank account on or about December 11. Six more checks between $3,500 and $10,000 were allegedly withdrawn and deposited into the former president’s account between April and July this year.

A statement by the District Attorney reveals that the money was used for shopping, nail salons, smoke shops and even gambling applications. Besides the trips, paid with PTA money, the suspect allegedly spent funds at Total Wines, Sephora, as well as Starbucks, among other businesses.