Earnestine Russell Stole Thousands of Dollars Meant For Middle-School Children
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that Earnestine Russell, a
former, longtime director of a Bronx youth group, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to
Grand Larceny.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stole money that was meant to support after school programs for middle school children in our Bronx community. The defendant, who led the
Baychester Youth Council since the 1980s, has now been held accountable for her actions.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said, “Earnestine Russell took public
money intended to give children a safe and nurturing place to go after school, but spent it on
personal trips and electronic equipment for herself. I thank Bronx County District Attorney Clark
for working with us to hold Ms. Russell accountable.”
District Attorney Clark said that Russell, 69, of 1930 Schieffelin Avenue, pleaded guilty
today to third-degree Grand Larceny and was sentenced by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert
Neary to one year in jail with a $61,098.00 order of restitution by civil judgment. The defendant
also waived her right to appeal.
According to the investigation by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the State
Comptroller’s Office, Russell stole money from a federally funded grant administered by the New
York State Education Department between December 19, 2009 and July 7, 2011.
District Attorney Clark thanked Comptroller
DiNapoli's Division of Investigations and Bureau of State Expenditures, and the New York State
Police.
