A former parent leader and Queens borough president appointee has been accused of pocketing nearly $15,000 from the PTA group she headed for three years, authorities said.
Sheree Gibson, who was elevated by Queens Beep Donovan Richards to the Panel for Educational Policy, was arrested Monday and charged with grand larceny and forging business records during her time on the District 29 Presidents’ Council, according to a complaint from the Queens District Attorney’s Office. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment.
Gibson, 50, is accused of writing nearly 40 “reimbursement” checks ranging from $15 to $1,300 for district-related costs to a Maryland woman, Shari-Joi Nicholson, who said she has never done any work for the District 29 Presidents’ Council, according to the court documents.
Nicholson, 34, was at one time a foster child living with Gibson’s parents and when she was 14, her foster mother opened up a bank account for her, according to the court records.
She told investigators that she had never used or had access to the account, but that’s where Gibson’s checks were being deposited, according to investigators.
The checks, which totaled $14,922.86, included reimbursements for transportation, volunteer supplies, “food support for families,” and “office supplies” and furniture, court filings show.
The treasurer noted to investigators that the council “neither has an office nor furniture,” authorities said.
The city Department of Education requires each city school district to have a Presidents’ Council, which consists of every PTA president, or a designee, from the district.
The councils are tasked with representing the interests of parents within the district.
The complaint states that Gibson didn’t provide any receipts to members of the council and didn’t even have permission to control the funds in the account.
Councils can solicit dues from their constituent PA/PTAs, according to PTA Link.
The chancellor’s regulations state that two signatories are required to sign every check.
“Sheree Gibson tendered her resignation from her position as an appointee to the Panel for Educational Policy, which the Borough President accepted upon learning of the allegations against her,” said Richards rep Chris Barca. “A search for a new appointee is currently underway.”
Gibson was the 2018-2019 co-chair of the chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council and served on citywide task forces including for Fair Student Funding and Citywide and Community Education Council elections.
Earlier this year, Gibson linked up with the United Federation of Teachers for one of the union’s parent boot camps to urge like-minded parents to join community education councils.
Linda Sarsour, the far-left, anti-Israel activist, was touted as a special guest at the “virtual rally.”
Gibson could not be reached for comment and the Legal Aid Society, which is providing her defense, declined comment.
