Charges Filed Against PTA Treasurer

$20k stolen from Rockville Centre PTA by former treasurer

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Carol Handa, 41, has been arrested and charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E Felony. Ms. Handa served as treasurer of the William Covert School’s PTA in Rockville Centre from August, 2003 to July, 2005.

A person is guilty of grand larceny in the third degree when he steals property and when the value of the property exceeds three thousand dollars (PL §155.35).

A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree when he commits the crime of falsifying business records in the second degree, and when his intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof (PL §175.10).

A person is guilty of falsifying business records in the second degree when, with the intent to defraud, he makes or causes a false entry in the business records of an enterprise (PL §175.05).

At the end of the defendant’s term as treasurer, incoming PTA officers discovered money missing from the PTA’s bank account. When asked to provide the PTA officers with bank records, the checkbook, and other financial records, Ms. Handa turned over incomplete records. Upon further examination, PTA officers discovered that Ms. Handa created two checkbook registers, which contained conflicting information. The registers showed that approximately $20,000 was missing from the PTA’s bank account. The school district obtained the services of an independent auditor to further investigate this matter and brought it to the attention of the District Attorney’s Office in October, 2005. After conducting a thorough investigation of the complaint, District Attorney Investigators allege that Ms. Handa failed to deposit money belonging to the PTA into the PTA bank account and used money from the PTA bank account for her personal benefit.

The defendant will be arraigned today in First District Court, Hempstead.  Along with Investigator John Cassino, ADA Stephani Meister of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Handa is being represented by Edward Mandery.

Name: Carol Handa
Age: 41
Address: 44 Wright Road, Rockville Centre, NY
Charges: Grand Larceny 3°, Falsifying Business Records 1°