Cobble Hill "Fertility Thief" May Avoid Jail

What's in the soy milk cartons at Cobble Hill's PS 29? They let the terrorists win after omitting the Pledge of Allegiance, and allowed the neighborhood teenagers to burn down the playground with impunity. Now according the Post, spa owner Providence Hogan, who allegedly stole $100,000 from the PS 29 PTA for fertility treatments and to “keep her family living in the lifestyle they were accustomed to," may get a "jail-free plea deal." That's right: throw the leader of the International Monetary Fund in jail, but keep the Cobble Hill mom in yoga pants.

Details on the deal are scant, but Hogan, who appeared before the Brooklyn Supreme Court yesterday, would at least be forced to pay back the money she stole. And there's still hope for justice in Cobble Hill yet, because it's possible those fertility-treatment babies will grow up to "accidentally" burn it all down.

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By Christopher Robbins in News on May 17, 2011 12:24 PM

Comments [rss]

GalBklyn

What is it about Cobble Hill /ps 29 connection and the get out of jail free card...

CobbleHillLou

Sadly, this arranged plea by Ms. Hogan's high-powered counsel will likely not result in the school recouping its desperately needed stolen funds. The DA's office has been commendable in their prosecution of the case, but it is ill-equipped to ensure that she actually pays back the money. Once the plea is taken, their role is largely finished, and without the threat of more serious penalties over her head, Ms. Hogan's motivation to pay it back drops dramatically as well. This was not a petty theft: she was indicted and formally charged with various felonies after stealing at least $82,000.00 from the PS 29 PTA over several years. These serious and repeated thefts from our children's elementary school have understandably outraged the parents and teachers who volunteer countless hours and donate whatever they can to fund programs which benefit the school's and community's children. Before this plea is entered on June 27th, anyone outraged by this proposed probationary slap-on-the-wrist should contact by calls and letters the assigned judge, Hon. Suzanne M. Mondo, Kings County Criminal Court, 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (347) 404-9470, or the assigned Brooklyn assistant district attorney, ADA Kevin James, (718) 250-2733, to let them know that the money should be paid back and escrowed first, by whatever means possible, before she is given her sweetheart deal.

CobbleHillLou

Sadly, this arranged plea by Ms. Hogan's high-powered counsel will likely not result in the school recouping its desperately needed stolen funds. The DA's office is ill-equipped to ensure that she actually pays back the money-once the plea is taken, their role is largely finished, and without the threat of more serious penalties over her head, her motivation to pay it back drops dramatically as well. This was not a petty theft: she was indicted and formally charged with various felonies after stealing at least $82,000.00 from the PS 29 PTA over several years. These serious and repeated thefts from our children's elementary school have understandably outraged the parents and teachers who volunteer countless hours and donate whatever they can to fund programs which benefit the school's and community's children. Before this plea is entered on June 27th, anyone outraged by this proposed slap-on-the-wrist should contact by calls and letters the assigned judge, Hon. Suzanne M. Mondo, Kings County Criminal Court, 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (347) 404-9470, or the assigned Brooklyn district attorney, ADA Kevin James, (718) 250-2733, to let them know that the money should be paid back, and escrowed, by whatever means possible, before she is given her sweetheart deal.