A former public high school staffer skimmed $415,000 in taxpayer cash to fund her own private cheerleading business, Queens prosecutors charged Thursday.
Abi Corbin, 53, worked as a community associate at the East-West School of International Studies, PS 281 in Flushing, when she allegedly ran the scam, from July 2021 through July 2024, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said.
As part of her job, Corbin was responsible for processing work orders to purchase materials for the school, which does not have a cheerleading team, prosecutors said.
Instead, Corbin used the principal’s login information and signature to buy merch for her own business Queens Campus Cheer, according to prosecutors.
“Instead of purchasing necessary educational materials to help students thrive, the defendant is accused of stealing school funds for her own private cheerleading company,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
“Theft of public funds intended for our students is a serious breach of trust,” Katz said. “My office will hold accountable anyone who violates that trust and undermines the integrity of our public education system.”
The scheme fell apart on July 31, 2024, when the principal learned that boxes of cheerleading supplies had been delivered to the Flushing campus — even though the school doesn’t have a cheerleading team, and Corbin’s company was not associated with the city school system, the DA’s office said.
The school district’s Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation launched a probe, which led to Corbin surrendering Thursday to face grand larceny and identify theft charges.
She was released without bail pending a return court date on Dec. 2.
“Abi Corbin’s actions, as alleged, were a brazen abuse of her official position and a clear violation of the public trust,” said Anastasia Coleman, the school system’s special commissioner of investigations.
“The hundreds of thousands of dollars she diverted to her private cheerleading business represent vital taxpayer funds intended for the education and well-being of East-West School students,” she said.
Corbin’s attorney, Joseph Amsel, told The Post that his client pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he looks forward to defending the case as it moves forward.
She faces a maximum prison term of five to 15 years behind bars, if convicted.
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