Jail Still an Option for P.S. 29 PTA Embezzler Providence Hogan

PTA Embezzler Providence Hogan has two more months.

In Brooklyn Supreme Court Thursday, Hogan was told she had until October 3 to find the funds needed to accept a plea bargain and avoid jail time, or be prepared to go to trial.

"The people are requesting trial. The defendent failed to come up with the money...This is the second or third time the defense has asked for more time," said Assistant District Attorney Kevin James. "The people have had enough."

Hogan's attorney, Stephen Flamhaft, begged for more time from the court to try and locate the funds needed to take the plea bargain: $40,000, or roughly half of what from the PTA. Flamhaft said computers seized by the police department contained files and receipts from Hogan's business, the Providence Day Spa on Atlantic Avenue, and thus money owed to Hogan would be found in the documents on those computers.

Following the proceedings, Flamhaft said Hogan had approximately $30,000 in funds now, but Flamhaft did not offer to pay that amount to the court.

Flamhaft said he had attempted to meet with the D.A.'s office to discuss waiting for the return of the approximately 20 computers from the police before having to take the plea, but was never able to because of staff absences in that office.

Judge Suzanne Mondo said she was "hard-pressed to understand" that the money could be found in the computer files, and ordered that the computers be turned over, and all other grand jury documents be shared between the prosector and the defense attorney, in preparation for the next court appearance, scheduled for October 3.

Mondo also stated that she did not believe Hogan didn't have the money, having already required the District Attorney's office to get financial statements on Hogan and her husband from their bank and their tax returns from the past three years. Only a third of those documents were turned over to the D.A.'s office, said James.

"I don't think there's enough transparency here," said Mondo from the bench. I'm going to "require her to prepare and admit a sworn financial statement."

Flamhaft said that Hogan was also considering pleading guilty, an action he called a "fallacy in her thinking."

Mondo said she would "consider an appropriate jail sentence" if Hogan pleads guilty to the top count against her.

Approximately 10 P.S. 29 parents were in attendance. The PTA at the school has made it clear from the beginning that what they would like to see is full restitution of the funds taken, approximately $80,000, with interest.

"Of course making the school whole is the priority," said incoming PTA Co-President Jane Heaphy. "But if she fails...It has to be done properly. People have to go through the whole process."

And the school needs the funds, said Chairperson of the School Leadership Team Natalie Green Giles.

"As this drags on, the impact of the loss of funds becomes more tangible," said Giles. "We become much more resolute to see that this is remedied."