A Bethpage woman was charged with abusing her position as elementary school PTA treasurer, stealing more than $5,000 by forging the PTA president’s signature, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced last week.
Kathryn Savage, 37, was arrested Sept. 25 by investigators and charged with grand larceny in the third degree and four counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. She faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
“This defendant betrayed every child at the school and every PTA member who trusted her to handle the association’s finances,” Rice said. “PTA members volunteer their time to provide a more fulfilling educational experience for the students. They shouldn’t have to worry that one of their own is stealing from them.”
Rice said that between August, 2012 and July, 2013, Savage served as the treasurer for the Central Boulevard Parent-Teacher Association. Between April 1, 2013 and May 23, 2013, Savage wrote five unauthorized checks on the PTA’s checking account, totaling $5,401.20. One of the checks was written to Savage’s boyfriend, and the other four were written to cash, and either endorsed or cashed by Savage.
The four checks written to cash bear the signature of Savage and the PTA president. The president never signed the check, nor gave her permission, consent, or authorization to Savage to sign her name, according to the charges.
The theft was discovered during an internal audit of the account by members of the PTA. The case was then referred to the district attorney’s office.
