State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon announced that Dennis Mosesman and Elsie Mosesman pleaded guilty today to grand larceny in the second degree for stealing more than $770,000 in public funds meant for special needs pre-schoolers at the Gingerbread Learning Center in Staten Island. They must pay back $625,000 in restitution and $175,000 in asset forfeiture by June 18. They also will receive five years of probation.

The couple used the stolen funds to landscape their home, fund a Mercedes Benz and a Porsche, get gifts for relatives, pay a life insurance premium and purchase other luxuries. They perpetrated their scheme by creating a $100,000 no-show job for defendant Elsie Mosesman and falsifying records.

“Stealing funds designed to help special needs children is abhorrent,” State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my staff in partnership with District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and the New York City Police Department, these individuals are now convicted felons and must pay back the money they stole.”

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236. Review prior cases at http://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations.