Arrest of Diana Skolnick

JULY 25, 2000

DA BROWN: LONG-TIME ELECTCHESTER BOOKKEEPER CHARGED WITH STEALING MORE THAN $75,000 IN APARTMENT REFUNDS

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the arrest of a long-time bookkeeper employed by the Electchester housing complex in Fresh Meadows on charges of stealing more than $75,000 in refunds from the development's management.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Diana Skolnick, 75, of 161-29 Jewel Avenue, Fresh Meadows. According to the charges, the defendant who had been employed at Electchester as a bookkeeper for more than 20 years, stole the money by writing checks from Electchester to fictitious residents whom she claimed were vacating their apartments and then depositing the money into an account that she controlled. The defendant is charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of forged instruments, falsifying business records and scheme to defraud. She faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison if convicted.

According to District Attorney Brown, "It is especially disappointing to see a case where a long-term employee in a position of trust violates that trust. Hopefully full restitution of the funds allegedly taken will result from the prosecution of the defendant."

According to charges, the defendant was responsible for refunding of deposits required from occupants which were to be returned to them when the apartment was vacated. It is alleged that she wrote checks to fictitious tenants and presented the checks and accompanying paperwork to her supervisors for approval and signature. Since 1992 the defendant is allegedly to have created 25 tenants with refund claims between $3000 and $6000 each. When the checks were approved rather than mailing them out the defendant deposited them into an account that she controlled belonging to 'Diana Cohen' who has the same address and social security number as the defendant. An alert bank employee noticed the unusual double endorsement of the checks and brought it to the attention of Electchester officials.

The investigation was carried out by Detective Christine Beck of the 107^th Precinct under the supervision of Lt. Brian Coyne and Investigative Accountant James Dever of the District Attorney's Economic Crimes Bureau.

Assistant District Attorney Diane Peress, Supervisor of the Economic Crimes Bureau which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Brian J. Mich and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco is in charge of the case.

It should be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.