Shirley Huntley has friends in low places — and they came in handy at her sentencing yesterday in federal court.
More than 80 of her allies wrote to federal Judge Jack Weinstein begging for mercy for the former state senator.
Her crime: steering $87,000 in public funds to a children’s charity she founded and looted.
Her sentence: A year and a day in prison.
Her stroke of genius: steering nearly$500,000in earmarks and campaign cash to the folks who wrote in on her behalf.
A few prominent Queens citizens and politicians joined the campaign for clemency. But dozens of those who contacted the judge had benefited over the years from Huntley’s largess. They include:
The CEO: Michelle Reed touted Huntley’s “gift of giving.” No surprise — Huntley sent a $20,000 earmark to Reed’s company, Pro Response Sports.
The Consultant: Diane Littles praised Huntley’s “contributions” to the community — but neglected to mention that Huntley sent a nonprofit Littles helped run $7,400 in public money.
The Bishop: The Rev. Charles Norris praised Huntley for “taking care” of her friends in Queens. She earmarked$70,000for his group Clergy United for Community Empowerment.
The Tennis Coach: Bill Briggs called Huntley a “role model” — after she steered $93,700 to his Queens tennis program.
The Youth Leader: Van Holmes, president of the Young Leaders Institute, noted the “many contributions” Huntley made to her district — but left out the $82,000she earmarked for his group.
The Churchgoer: Donald Edge of Queens called Huntley “an invaluable asset” — and the $50,000 Huntley sent to his wife’s church was valuable indeed.
It’s easy to see why Huntley’s friends are so eager for her to be back at it.
But family members who wrote in owe Huntley even more.
The Niece: Lynn Smith pleaded for leniency for Huntley — but failed to mention that she herself pleaded guilty to ripping off $30,000 from a Huntley nonprofit. Huntley also paid her$17,550 in campaign cash.
The Daughter: Pamala Corley wrote “My mother has always supported me.” No kidding — mama gave her $50,700in campaign cashand steered money to her charity.
The Son-in-law: Rev. Edward Corley called her “unselfish” — of course, Huntley steered$50,000to his brother’s church and$1,800 in campaign cash into his pocket.
The Husband: Herbert Huntley, who called Shirley his “rock,” has cashed in, too. He got$5,866incampaign funds from his wife,and was reimbursed$50,000for a dubious campaign loan.
It’s possible that Huntley benefited from the letters — the judge shaved six months off the mandatory minimum for her offenses.
But what’s most galling is that there’s not much of a difference between what earned her a prison sentence and what earned her the admiration of pals and pols in southeast Queens.
She had easy access to public funds and campaign dollars. She used it to reward herself, and got sentenced to prison.
And she used it to buy herself friends, and her prison term was cut short. Who says crime doesn’t pay?
Joseph Abrams is a member of The Post’s Editorial Board.