Attorney General James, Comptroller DiNapoli, And Department Of Investigation Commissioner Garnett Announce Sentencing In Straw Donation Scheme

Anna Mendez, Formerly of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center, Sentenced to 5 years’ Probation   

 Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett announced the sentencing of non-profit executive Anna Mendez for the misuse of nonprofit funds to fund straw political donations to former New York City Council candidate Albert Alvarez in New York County Supreme Court, Mendez was sentenced to 5 years’ probation.

“Anna Mendez misused thousands of dollars intended to aid our youngest and most vulnerable new Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “Public corruption in any form will never be tolerated, and my office remains committed to holding bad actors across the state accountable. I thank the offices of the New York State Comptroller and the New York City Department of Investigation for their continued commitment to justice.”

"Our electoral  process is jeopardized when people like Ms. Mendez scheme to undermine laws to fund candidates," said New York State Comptroller DiNapoli. "Thanks to our partnership with Attorney General James and the New York City Department of Investigations, Ms. Mendez now faces justice and has been held accountable for her actions."

“Corrupting the election process is a crime that deserves a serious penalty," said New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett. “This defendant exploited New York City’s campaign finance system by misappropriating monies from a City-funded nonprofit and using them to support straw campaign donations. DOI was pleased to work with the state Attorney General and state Comptroller on this important investigation.”

On October 28, 2019, Mendez was convicted of 10 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. Mendez and her co-conspirator, George Gonzalez, were arraigned for their roles in the false filings on January 10, 2018. Mendez and Gonzalez provided funds to other employees of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center to contribute to Alvarez. Gonzalez also distributed contribution cards to these employees, which he had them falsely make out in their own names to conceal the true source of the funds. Alvarez then collected the money and false contribution cards. Even though he knew the contribution cards were false, Alvarez submitted them to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (the “CFB”) to steal at least $4,500 in public matching funds. In total, Alvarez received $92,400 in public matching funds. Alvarez plead guilty to one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor in connection with the case.

Gonzalez also pleaded guilty to felony counts of Grand Larceny and Offering a False Instrument for filing in connection with his role in the straw donation scheme. Additionally, former Tremont Crotona, Inc., Chairman of the Board, Alexander Pena, pled guilty to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree for his role in corruption at the non-profit.

Since 2011, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the State Comptroller have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity.

The Attorney General would also like to thank the New York City Department of Investigation for their partnership on this investigation. The case was investigated by First Deputy Inspector General Ivette Morales under the supervision of Inspector General Andrew Sein, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella, and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort.

Attorney General James, Comptroller DiNapoli, And Department Of Investigation Commissioner Garnett Announce Guilty Verdict Of Non-Profit Executive In Corruption Scheme

Anna Mendez, Formerly of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center, Was Convicted of Indirectly Giving Straw Donations to NYC City Council Candidate Albert Alverez    

   Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett today announced that non-profit executive Anna Mendez was convicted of using money stolen from a non-profit to fund straw political contributions to former New York City Council candidate Albert Alvarez.

Mendez’ conviction makes the fifth public disposition in the investigation of wide ranging corruption at Tremont Crotona, Inc., and A&G Early Learn Community Network, the two non-profit day care centers where Mendez worked. Mendez was convicted of 10 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, in the Supreme Court of New York County.

“Public corruption, on any level and in any form, will not be tolerated in New York State,” said Attorney General James. “Anna Mendez took advantage of the democratic process by illegally using non-profit funds for political gain. My office will continue to root out corruption, and hold bad actors responsible for their actions.”

“A jury heard the overwhelming evidence and reached the conclusion that Ms. Mendez was guilty,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. ”The message is clear, if you break the law, you’re going to get caught and you’re going pay the price. My thanks and gratitude go to State Attorney General James and NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett for their efforts to ensure justice was served in this case.”

“Today’s conviction sends the important message that individuals who submit false documents in order to defraud the City of New York will be held accountable,” said New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett. “This defendant’s actions corrupted the City’s campaign finance and contracting systems, both of which are vital to the public’s trust in government. DOI will continue to work with the state Attorney General’s Office and fellow law enforcement agencies to uncover and stop this type of corruption.”

Mendez and her co-conspirator, George Gonzalez, were arraigned for their roles in the false filings on January 10, 2018. Mendez and Gonzalez provided funds to other employees of Tremont Crotona Day Care Center to contribute to Alvarez. Gonzalez also distributed contribution cards to these employees, which he had them falsely make out in their own names to conceal the true source of the funds. The money was, in reality, stolen from Tremont Crotona Day Care Center. Alvarez then collected the money and false contribution cards. Even though he knew the contribution cards were false, Alvarez submitted them to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (the “CFB”) to steal at least $4,500 in public matching funds. In total, Alvarez received $92,400 in public matching funds. Alvarez plead guilty to one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor in connection with the case. 

Gonzalez also pleaded guilty to felony counts of Grand Larceny and Offering a False Instrument for filing in connection with his role in the straw donation scheme. Additionally, former Tremont Crotona, Inc., Chairman of the Board, Alexander Pena, pled guilty to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree for his role in corruption at the non-profit. 

Since 2011, the Attorney General and State Comptroller have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. They have brought charges against dozens of individuals implicated in public corruption schemes around the state – resulting in the return of over $11 million in restitution to taxpayers through these convictions.

The Attorney General would also like to thank the New York City Department of Investigation for their partnership on this investigation. The case was investigated by First Deputy Inspector General Ivette Morales under the supervision of Inspector General Andrew Sein, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella, and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort.

A.G. Underwood, Comptroller DiNapoli, And DOI Commissioner Garnett Announce Indictment Of Former Non-Profit Director Anna Mendez

Mendez Allegedly Stole Over $50,000 from Bronx Non-Profit and Falsified Business Records to Conceal the Theft

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood, Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett today announced the indictment of former  Program Director Anna Mendez on one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and ten counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class D felony, in Bronx County Supreme Court.

“As we allege, the defendant stole tens of thousands of dollars that was intended to help children – and then used those funds to serve herself and local politicians through illegal straw donations,” said Attorney General Underwood. “Non-profit directors have a fundamental responsibility to their organizations and the people they serve. We will hold accountable anyone whotries to exploit New Yorkers.”

“For years, Ms. Mendez allegedly exploited her position to steal money meant to help children and families and used it for her own personal use,” said State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “Now, thanks to my partnership with Attorney General Underwood and the New York City Department of Investigation, she will face the consequences of her actions. I thank the Attorney General and Department of Investigation for their continued collaboration in combating fraud.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “This defendant embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from a day care in the Bronx, using the proceeds of her crime for personal use and for straw donations to local politicians, according to the charges. Fraud at nonprofits can hurt some of the most vulnerable in our City, in this case working families in the Bronx who struggle to find childcare. DOI was gratified to perform financial analysis on this investigation and work with the state Attorney General’s Office and the state Comptroller’s Office on this important case.”

Mendez allegedly collected money from the parents of families using the day care services at the 1984 Daly Avenue location of Tremont Crotona, Inc., which were stored in a safe in her office. Mendez is charged with taking at least $50,000 from the safe over an approximately three-year period for her personal use and to make straw donations to New York politicians. She is also charged with keeping the records of the stolen parent fees separate from the rest of the parent fee money that was collected, and of failing to report the receipt of that money to Tremont Crotona, Inc. so management would not notice her theft.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Since 2011, the Attorney General and State Comptroller have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. They have brought charges against dozens of individuals implicated in public corruption schemes around the state – resulting in the return of over $11 million in restitution to taxpayers through these convictions.