Ex-Queens state Sen. Shirley Huntley pleaded guilty this morning to an additional state felony charge for her role in the theft of funds she steered to sham non profit group.
Huntley pleaded guilty in Nassau County Supreme Court to falsifying evidence in an effort to obstruct a probe into the theft of $29,950 in state funds she funneled to Parent Workshop Inc., a group set up by the senator. The case was brought by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Prosecutors alleged the funding was stolen by the senator’s staffer and niece.
Huntley pleaded guilty last month to federal charges that she embezzled $87,700 in taxpayer money from another non profit group founded by her daughter, Parents Information Network.
In the state case, Huntley was accused of creating a false backdated letter to try to fool investigators that Parent Workshop had conducted workshops. It was a cover-up because no workshops were conducted.
“It is unconscionable that an elected official would deliberately tamper with a law enforcement investigation into the theft of taxpayer dollars,” Schneiderman said.
The attorney general recommended a five-years probation for her E felony guilty plea, noting Huntley already faces an 18 to 24 month sentence for her federal conviction.