Former Library Director Charged With Stealing $47K from Roosevelt Institution’s Coffers

Connor used money from fundraisers to pay for plane tickets, car repairs, and restaurant bills

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that the former Director of the Board for the Roosevelt Public Library has been charged with grand larceny after she stole more than $40,000 of library money to pay for airplane tickets, car repairs, groceries, and restaurant bills.

Natalie Connor, 46, of Roosevelt was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. She faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted. She is due back in court April 10.

Rice said that from about May 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, Connor, acting as the Co-Director of the Roosevelt Public Library Foundation, embezzled $47,278 from the Foundation’s bank account. The Foundation was established in 2006 as the fund-raising arm of the library, raising money for the library’s expansion project and for the library’s enrichment, programs, technical equipment, training, and community events. Approximately $48,000 was collected from three fundraisers.

From its inception in March 2006, the Foundation was intended to have its own bank account. Until an account was opened, the money earmarked for the Foundation would be deposited in the library’s operating account. Connor opened an account for the Foundation in May 2007 and made herself the sole signatory. She then used the Foundation’s money for everyday expenses, including her cable and oil bills and car repairs. After her theft, there was less than $1,000 in the account.

“A public library exists to enrich and educate a community, not to serve as a criminal’s personal ATM,” Rice said.

Handling the case for the District Attorney's Office is Deputy Bureau Chief William Wallace of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau. The defendant is represented by Samuel Rieff, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.