Former PS 29 PTA Treasurer Embezzled $100,000, Indictment Alleges

A former PTA treasurer was hit with a 22-count indictment for charges including embezzlement, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced today.

At the end of January, news broke that Providence Hogan, 43, was under investigation for from the PTA fund.

Hogan, who still has a daughter at the school, is accused of embezzling approximately $100,000 from the PTA. She was indicted on charges including many counts in varying degrees of Grand Larceny as well as Falsifying Business Records.

If convicted of the top charge, Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Hogan could face up to 15 years in prison.

Hogan was PTA treasurer from 2006 - 2010. According to the District Attorney, the money went missing between the years of 2007 - 2008.

The Daily News reported in January that approximately $100,000 was embezzled. A detective from the 76 Precinct

One PS 29 parent and PTA member said the indictment was "incredible."

"She [Hogan] was hopelessly disorganized, in a way that was mind boggling," the parent said.

The indictment charges that Hogan wrote several big checks to herself, and some to cash, and that she used the money to pay for business expenses related to , her Atlantic Avenue spa. She also paid for personal expenses such as paying her family's rent and fertility treatments.

Hogan falsified documents to hide the crime.

The indictment also quotes Hogan saying she used the money to "keep her family living in the lifestyle they were accustomed to."

According to the PTA parent, there was rarely oversight when it came to the PTA's budget.

"Providence was the only person who dealt with the money," the parent said. "Money was lost, cash money, checks weren't deposited."

Principal Melanie Raneri Woods did not return a call for comment and PTA President Joyce Seares directed an inquiry to the D.A.'s office.

At a PTA meeting last month, PTA leaders said "safeguards" were being put in place to ensure transparency in light of the investigation.

An audit committee was formed, led by PTA member, parent and audit committee Chairperson Maureen Thomas, the PTA transferred their account from Apple to Chase bank and all checks will now be cut from the PTA office and will require two signatures. 

In addition, the treasurer position was reduced to one from three-years in the PTA bylaws.

Hogan's attorney, Steve Flamhaft, has yet to return a request for comment.