NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The ex-treasurer of a PTA in New York City was being investigated for allegedly embezzling up to $100,000 to pay for fertility treatments, officials said.
Officials at Public School 29 in the borough of Brooklyn allege that Providence Hogan of Carroll Gardens, who quit as PTA treasurer last fall , took the money, the New York Daily News reported.
Hogan allegedly said she spent the money on fertility treatments. She is owner of Providence Day Spa, which specializes in treatments for expectant mothers.
"We're working with the authorities," said Lauren Gottlieb, co-president of the PTA. She said parents would be told of the investigation at a meeting Monday evening. "This is their school; these are their funds. Police are investigating."
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PS 29 raised and spent more than $450,000 during the 2008-2009 school year.
Hogan, 43, was the PTA treasurer since July 2006.
PTA officers and parents said Hogan made out several large checks without documentation for what the money was used for. Some of the checks were made out to cash; some were allegedly made out to her.
"It's terrible," said Jim Devor, president of the Community Education Council for District 15, which includes PS 29. "It will have a devastating effect on things like their after-school programs."
"I'm surprised that in a school as sophisticated as PS 29 no one caught on to it sooner," Devor said. "A hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money -- more money than most PTAs in my district even have."
The newspaper said it was unable to contact Hogan or her attorney for comment.