NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Long Island woman who was the former Director of Food Services for the Hempstead Union Free School District pleaded guilty to her role in a kickback scheme Tuesday, prosecutors said.
The 56-year-old Lindenhurst woman, Sharon Gardner, along with her co-conspirator Maria Caliendo, defrauded the school district out of thousands of dollars and used the funds for vacations, a car and home furnishings.
As the food services director, Gardner would help secure lucrative contracts for Caliendo’s company, Smart Starts, to provide prepackaged breakfast meals for Hempstead public school students.
Caliendo would then kick back a portion of the contract money totaling more than $100,000 to Gardner by making fake payroll deposits into a bank account created in the name of one of Gardner’s family members.
“Gardner abused her position of trust as a school official in order to enrich herself with kickbacks she used to pay for overseas vacations and home furnishings. Now she will face the consequences for her greed,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute corrupt officials who illegally profit from our public institutions.”
Along with the international vacations, the leased vehicle and other goods, Gardner withdrew about $13,000 in kicked back funds from ATMs near her home and workplace.
Both Gardner and Caliendo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Caliendo entered her plea on Oct. 27. As part of their deals, Gardner agreed to forfeit about $120,000 and Caliendo agreed to forfeit about $160,000.
The women face up to 20 years in prison each when sentenced.
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