Former PTA President Charged with Embezzlement

Athena Gonzalez, the former president of the Parent Teacher Association at P.S. 166 in Astoria, has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property after allegedly embezzling over $41,000 intended for school activities. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that Gonzalez misappropriated funds by depositing checks from the PTA’s account into her personal account and using the money for personal expenses, including trips to amusement parks, shopping sprees, and gambling. The investigation revealed that the PTA’s bank account dwindled from approximately $64,817 to just $12,564 within months, leading to cancelled events due to financial constraints. Gonzalez, who was elected as PTA president in July 2023, is accused of diverting funds over a nine-month period and faces a potential prison sentence of 2 1/3 to seven years if convicted. The PTA’s finances were severely impacted, forcing the resignation of several officials, including the acting treasurer. Gonzalez is scheduled to return to court on December 3.