A Queens grand jury indicted a Laurelton woman for allegedly stealing more than $400,000 from a public high school in Flushing when she was a member of the staff.
Abi Corbin, 53, of 232nd Street, was arraigned Oct. 16 in Queens Supreme Court on indictment charges of grand larceny in the second degree and identity theft in the first degree for scamming the taxpayer funding meant for students at the East-West School of International Studies, P.S. 281Q, where she worked as a community associate. Corbin’s role included processing work orders, and the stolen money was meant to purchase materials solely for the school.
Corbin allegedly used the money to order equipment and merchandise for her private company, Queens Campus Cheer.
“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.
According to the charges and investigation, Corbin was employed as a community associate at the school located at 46-21 Colden St. in Flushing, where her responsibilities included making all purchases for the school and processing orders in the school’s financial management system. From July 2021 through July 2024, Corbin allegedly used the school principal’s login information and signature to authorize purchase orders for cheerleading merchandise and materials, which were then used by her private company, Queens Campus Cheer. The total amount of the stolen funds is estimated at approximately $415,000.
On July 32, 2024, the school principal was informed that several boxes were delivered to P.S. 281Q containing cheerleading merchandise. The school does not have a cheerleading team, and the Queens Campus Cheer is not associated with the school or the Department of Education.
Corbin surrendered to the Queens District Attorney’s office on Oct. 16.
“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. I thank our partners at the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District and members of my Public Corruption Bureau for their work on this case.”
Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered Corbin to return to court on Dec. 2. If convicted, Corbin faces a potential maximum of five to 15 years in prison.
“Abi Corbin’s actions, as alleged, were a brazen abuse of her official position and a clear violation of the public trust,” NYC School District Special Commissioner of Investigation Anastasia Coleman said. “The hundreds of thousands of dollars she diverted to her private cheerleading business represent vital taxpayers’ funds intended for the education and well-being of East-West School students.”
She thanked Department of Education staff members who recognized Corbin’s wrongdoing and blew the whistle by reporting the case to her office.
“This type of vigilance by DOE staff is a crucial aid in SCI’s mission to root out fraud, corruption, and abuse within the New York City school district,” Coleman said. “SCI also thanks District Attorney Katz and her staff at the Queens County District Attorney’s office for pursuing prosecution in this important case.”
