Hope Livingston, the former vice president of the Sag Harbor Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny on Tuesday, August 4.
The 50-year-old Sag Harbor resident stole more than $10,000 from the PTA.
Livingston was the PTA treasurer from July 2021 to June 2022 and then the vice president from July 2022 to June 2024.
During that time, she used a PTA debit card to pay for personal expenses.
The purchases were discovered in September 2024.
When the PTA bank account was turned over to new PTA board members, it was discovered that the larceny was uncovered.
The expenses included purchases from Costco, Amazon, Target, Lululemon, and various local businesses throughout the Town of Sag Harbor.
Cash withdrawals also happened.
On numerous occasions, Livingston also withdrew and stole sums of cash directly from the PTA bank account.
“Stealing from a school’s PTA is not just a crime, it is a betrayal of our children and community,” District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement.
Tierney added more pressure to the defendant.
“My office will continue to have zero tolerance for corruption,” said District Attorney Tierney.
Livingston turned herself in to the district attorney’s office on March 3.
When arraigned, the charge was serious.
She was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, a felony that carries a penalty of between two and seven years in prison.
At that first hearing, she pleaded not guilty.
Livingston pleaded not guilty at the arraignment and was represented by the Legal Aid Society.
However, by August she had changed course.
Livingston pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, August 4.
Her attorney then spoke on her behalf.
“My client fully accepted responsibility for her actions,” Livingston’s attorney, Ed Burke Jr., wrote on Tuesday. “She must pay full restitution during the term of her Probation and abide by all conditions and mandates imposed, demonstrating to not only the Court, but her Community how deeply sorry she is for her actions.”
The restitution amount is substantial.
She will also be ordered to pay $14,487 in restitution to the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA.
Her next court date is scheduled.
Livingston is due back in court on October 6, where she is expected to be sentenced to five years of probation.
In the viral moment that prosecutors outlined, Livingston had access to sensitive financial accounts while in positions of trust.
During that time, Livingston had access to the PTA’s bank account through the use of a debit card, which was to be used solely for PTA-related purchases.
In September 2024, when the PTA bank account was turned over to new PTA board members, it was discovered that Livingston had unlawfully used PTA funds for her own personal expenses.
The case reflects a pattern of abuse.
From July 2021 through June 2024, Livingston withdrew $10,000 worth of cash directly from the account for her own use.
Back in Suffolk County Court on October 6, Livingston faces sentencing to five years of probation.