Judge Wants P.S. 29 PTA Embezzler To Pay Up

Accused appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court again on Monday morning, and agreed to pay the P.S. 29 PTA back the money she took, in order to avoid jail time.

The exact amount is to be determined: Judge Suzanne Mondo said she still had not seen a sufficient figure as to how much Hogan has to pay back.

"I'd like to know the total amount of money and calculation of interest," said Mondo. "The school needs to be made whole, entirely whole."

"If that's not possible we need to talk about a jail sentence," Mondo added.

Hogan is from the school PTA. She served as treasurer from 2006 - 2010, and according to the District Attorney's office, the money went missing between the years of 2007 - 2008.

Hogan used the money to pay for fertility treatments as well as rent for her business, the on Atlantic Avenue.

Hogan has a daughter who still attends P.S. 29.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin James said the plea offer carries a charge of grand larceny in the second and third degree with full restitution made to the PTA. If full restitution can't be made, Hogan would face a charge of grand larceny in the second degree and 2 - 6 years of jail time.

Hogan's attorney Stephen Flamhaft said the plea called for $40,000 to be paid right away, with the remainder soon after.

In a report inches thick presented to Judge Mondo, Hogan was demonstrated to have suffered from "psychological" and "emotional" problems, said Flamhaft.

"She had devastating pregnancies, and several miscarraiges," he said. "She absolutely doesn't belong in jail."

Flamhaft added that Hogan is getting her life under control.

"She's stabalized in a lot of ways," he said. "Treatment-wise, medication-wise."

Hogan will be back in court on August 11, and the District Attorney's office is expected to present a figure that represents full restitution then.

About a dozen P.S. 29 parents, PTA members and children sat in on the proceedings. 

"I'm very pleased. The judge's public comments gave me great confidence and hope that full restitution will be made," said Natalie Green Giles, Chairperson of the School Leadership Team. "The Assistant District Attorney is being wonderfully aggressive."

The PTA is most concerned with seeing the money returned to the school, said Giles, a feeling echoed by other parents in attendance.

"All I care is that the full restitution be made," said Stephanie Manske.

The PTA members were quick to refrain from making judgments on if Hogan should have to serve time in jail.

"I don't think that jail time would serve any purpose for us," said Giles.

Neil Wehrle, a parent and a director on the PTA board, said the situation was complex.

"She's a fellow parent. She has a family. She's someone in the community," he said. "It's a Greek tragedy."

This article has been edited for clarity.