New York Shelter Manager Spent Millions of Dollars for Homeless Shopping

A New York woman who ran a homeless shelter in the Bronx admitted to stealing millions for a nonprofit organization. She spent money from the shelter to finance her luxurious lifestyle. Insider.

Ethel Denise Perry was the executive director of Millennium Care. It is a non-profit organization that has led shelter for the homeless in the Bronx. The organization received $ 10 million in funding from the New York City Department of Homeless Services. But instead of using that money to provide social services to homeless families, Perry spent it on herself.

On November 19, she confessed that she had illegally taken away $ 2 million from Millennium Care in excess of her official salary. Ethel spent her money in luxury stores including Tiffany & Co., Ferragamo, and Bergdorf Goodman. She paid for the purchase car and a gym membership. In addition, Perry used a nonprofit organization to get her brother and nephew there. She, according to the attorney general, paid them a salary "much higher than what they declared."

Ethel pleaded guilty to criminal tax fraud last week. Millennium Care, Inc. She pleaded guilty to embezzlement on an especially large scale.

“Stealing money intended for the homeless is immoral and illegal,” Attorney General Laetitia James said in a statement.

Perry dodged tax obligations and understated her income by hundreds of thousands of dollars. She has to pay the $ 1,1 million she owes New York, plus taxes, Fines and interest during a five-year probationary period. A plea agreement prohibits Ethel Denise Perry from engaging in non-profit activities.

Millennium Care will pay a $ 2,4 million fine, after which it will be disbanded.