Metro

Couple admit they stole $3M intended to help feed poor school kids

A married couple who own a chain of early childhood education centers across New York City admitted today that they stole $3 million in taxpayer dollars intended to finance meals for impoverished school children Ziming Shen and his wife, Joanna Fan – administrators of a nonprofit organization that runs Red Apple nursery, preschool and kindergarten programs – pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to embezzling government funds to pay for a range of personal expenses.

The couple utilized the tax money to buy exclusive Manhattan condominiums, pumped funds into one of their for-profit businesses, and financed renovations at other profit-making educational centers that they also ran, officials say.

“I am very sorry and I apologize for this action,” Shen told Judge Dora Irizarry.

The pair admitted that they misappropriated millions in Agriculture Department funds between January 2004 and June 2010.

Brooklyn federal prosecutors say a Red Apple subsidiary known as “Supermarnet” received $2.7 million in government money while records show that it spent only $24,000 for food.

The couple also conceded that some $487,000 was tapped to underwrite the installation of kitchens at their for-profit educational centers – even though those institutions were not eligible to receive taxpayer funds.

Shen and Fan could see stiff prison terms when they are eventually sentenced, with the husband looking a term ranging from 37-46 months behind bars and the wife facing between 57-71 months in jail, prosecutors told the judge.

They also will be hit with an order to pay restitution to the federal government of roughly $2.5 to 3 million, officials say, and the judge could also fine them up to $6 million each.

Shen also still faces criminal assault charges in Brooklyn Criminal Court for allegedly attacking news photographers after he was released on bail from federal court last September.

His attorney, Barry Agulnick, said that Shen will “welcome a date to try that [assault] case.”

mmaddux@nypost.com