Sen. Shirley Huntley turned herself into the Nassau County District Attorney’s office this morning. (Dennis Clark)
State Sen. Shirley Huntley was arrested this morning and pleaded not guilty to charges that she allegedly funneled taxpayer money through her Queens non-profit program.
Huntley and several other defendants did not speak during their initial appearance in a Mineola courtroom. They were all released on their own recognizance and ordered back to court on Sept. 14.
Outside court, Huntley repeatedly said “It’s a great day” to every question fired at her.
The Post first reported last year how Huntley, a who represents Jamaica, Laurelton and South Ozone Park, tried to direct $155,000 to her Parent Workshop nonprofit.
She’s been charged with conspiracy in the fifth degree, tampering with evidence and falsifying business records.
Prosecutors will claim that Huntley and other defendants falsified papers, making it appear that Parent Workshop performed services stated in the contract, when no such services were ever performed, sources said.
Huntley’s defense lawyer Sally J.M. Butler downplayed the charges.
“She is not charged with stealing any money, being involved in any theft of any of the taxpayers’ money, or any of the funds that are in the indictment,” Butler said outside court.
“She is charged with simple, tampering-type charges.”
Three close allies of Huntley’s were also formally charged today. Consultant David R. Gantt and Parent Workshop treasurer Lynn Smith were hit with conspiracy, while aide Patricia Savage will face grand larceny, sources said.
Savage also served as president of Parent Workshop, and Smith is Huntley’s niece.
The Queens lawmaker, through her lawyer, vowed to beat the rap.
Huntley, Gantt and Savage were led out in handcuffs from the Nassau County DA’s office, as supporters cheered them on as they traveled to the nearby police station for processing.
“With the filings of today’s charges, I have removed Senator Huntley from her committee ranking and leadership positions, effective immediately, ” Senate Democratic Leader John L. Sampson said in a written statement today.
The embattled Huntley called a strange press conference on Saturday, announcing she would surrender to authorities today.
Butler spoke through most of the haphazard event outside the senator’s home, in front of which stood a campaign sign urging voters to re-elect her in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Her arrest comes months after damning reports revealed that her ties to nonprofits allegedly cost taxpayers more than $400,000.
An investigation by state AG Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli followed, and in December, he announced the indictments of four alleged schemers.
The probe took a weird turn on Saturday, when Huntley called reporters to her Jamaica home, where two men stood guard outside.
A Huntley relative who emerged to pick up a pizza delivery grew hostile with reporters and photographers, even though they had been invited to be there.
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“You guys should get a life!” she roared.
A woman answering Huntley’s phone told reporters the senator was in meetings or sleeping, refusing to put her on the line.
Huntley started the Parent Workshop in 2006, eight months before being elected. Once in office, she authorized a $30,000 grant and tried to send another $125,000 a year later.
The $30,000 member item went to two consultants. One was Sherman Russell, 71, who got $15,000 in 2008 and 2009, purportedly to conduct workshops for parents and students, records show.
The other consultant, Gantt, who also earned $15,000, was purportedly paid for conducting workshops for parents and making “outreach visits” to schools and community groups, workshop documents show.
Additional reporting by Michael Gartland, Josh Margolin, Aaron Feis, Dan Mangan and David K. Li