Former state Sen. Shirley Huntley pleaded guilty yesterday to mail fraud after admitting to embezzling more than $87,000 in tax funds earmarked for a nonprofit.
The Queens Democrat said she used government grants intended for her Parents Information Network to buy personal items and benefit relatives.
Huntley admitted that she used “straw recipients” to help disguise her embezzlement scheme from the charity. Several large withdrawals of the money were slipped to some of Huntley’s relatives, officials said.
Huntley, who served in the Legislature from 2007 to 2012, admitted that she had committed felony mail fraud in furtherance of her embezzlement scheme.
“I’m guilty. I plead guilty,” Huntley said.
She faces up to two years in prison under a plea agreement, and also must pay more than $87,000 in restitution to the state to make good on the tax money she stole.