The powerful state teachers union donated nearly $12,000 to state Sen. Shirley Huntley’s failed re-election campaign after she was arrested for fraud, records released yesterday show.
Huntley was indicted on Aug. 27 for allegedly falsifying documents to conceal the theft by her niece and a Senate aide of a $30,000 state grant from their sham charity.
According to her campaign’s post-primary report filed with the state Board of Elections, New York State United Teachers, which represents educators outside the five boroughs, gave her two checks totaling $11,770, both dated Sept. 10.
Huntley was defeated 57-40 percent by Councilman James Sanders Jr. in the Democratic primary for the southeast Queens Senate seat.
“An indictment is not proof of guilt,” NYSUT political director Andy Pallotta said. “We felt it appropriate to follow through with our commitment to the senator.”
Huntley, who was first elected in 2006, didn’t return calls. She’s due back in Nassau County criminal court on Oct. 30.