Edward R. Murrow PTA Unwittingly Elects Mom Who Stole Funds From Another School

A Murrow high school’s volunteer board has unwittingly elected as its vice president a mother who pilfered tens of thousands of dollars from another Brooklyn school’s parent-teacher association, the Daily News reports.

Providence Hogan pleaded guilty in 2011 to stealing $82,000 from a Cobble Hill high school’s parent-teacher association when she served as treasurer. She avoided prison by promising to pay back the stolen money, but was jailed in 2013 for failing to meet a payment, according to the New York Times.

However, Hogan made no mention of her criminal past when she declared her candidacy for vice president of Edward R. Murrow’s parent-teacher association, reports the Daily News. Instead, she touted her success at raising $1 million for another school. The parents, who eventually voted to elect her, were reportedly unaware that Hogan had also pocketed some of the money she helped raise.

Parents were appalled when they were informed of Hogan’s run-in with the law and school authorities have vowed to investigate, according the the Daily News.

Hogan used the money she stole to pay for fertility treatments, rent and help support her struggling Boerum Hill spa, the Times reports.

One Edward R. Murrow parent said it was amazing Hogan had the “chutzpah” to run for office again, reports the Daily News.