The special task force that goes after crooked nonprofit organizations with city contracts has racked up 33 convictions and 37 arrests in three years.
Shady nonprofits snagged by the city Department of Investigation include groups linked to disgraced City Councilman Miguel Martinez, in prison for embezzlement, and recently indicted former Councilman and state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, as well as lesser-known offenders like:
* Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council/Hope Gardens employee Tyess Crespo, was charged with submitting falsified documents to the city to illegally obtain $4,080 for reimbursement for karate classes. Brooklyn Democratic boss and Assemblyman Vito Lopez founded Ridgewood.
* Human Resources Center of St. Albans and La Peninsula Community Organizations employee Hugh Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $400,000 from Head Start education funds.
* Tremont Community Council Home Attendant Program’s former program director, O’Dell Holland, who pleaded guilty to stealing $900,000 in Medicaid funds.