NEW YORK – A superseding indictment against New York State Senator Shirley Huntley for falsifying business records, conspiracy and tampering with their joint investigation of a scheme to steal taxpayer dollars using a sham not-for-profit that did not provide services to the public was announced Monday by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. In addition to Senator Huntley, the new indictment charges a close aide and her niece with stealing funds from a member item sponsored by the Senator, and a third individual with aiding the cover-up.

As part of their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity, the Offices of the Attorney General and Comptroller investigated Parent Workshop, Inc., a not-for-profit founded by Senator Huntley, which funneled public money to the Senator’s aide, Patricia D. Savage, and to the senator's niece, Lynn H. Smith. According to the indictment, Savage and Smith submitted fraudulent documents to the State of New York to obtain public money from a legislative member item Senator Huntley sponsored. Instead of providing the promised programs, Savage and Smith pocketed approximately $29,950.

The investigation revealed that, after learning of the probe, Senator Huntley personally wrote a template for a false, backdated letter designed to fool investigators into believing that the Parent Workshop had conducted workshops that never took place. Parent Workshop then submitted this letter to the Attorney General's Office in response to a subpoena.

Senator Huntley is charged with the felonies of Tampering with Physical Evidence and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a misdemeanor. Each felony carries a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. Under the New York State Public Officers Law, conviction of a felony would result in Huntley's automatic removal from office.

“Falsifying documents, conspiracy and deliberately tampering with an open investigation are serious crimes. The individuals who schemed to profit at the taxpayers’ expense and cover it up will be held accountable,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office’s partnership with the Comptroller is designed to combat corruption in the public sector, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect every penny of taxpayer money.”