A Brooklyn nonprofit director was indicted Monday for stealing $85,000 from her employer to pay for Beyoncé tickets, manicures, and other personal expenses.
Sharon Davidson, 63, the ex-director of the North Flatbush Business Improvement District, spent $13,000 on PayPal to buy clothing, makeup and jewelry, $4,000 at Talbot's, $3,000 at FreshDirect, $600 on tickets to a Beyoncé concert, $600 at Weight Watchers and $400 on manicures and pedicures, DNA Info reports.
Davidson was making unauthorized withdrawals between 2010 and 2013 coming to a total of $85,691.36, New York Daily News notes. She was also charged with falsely collecting $5,190 in unemployment benefits.
In February 2014, Davidson resigned from her job at the BID while they were running a deficit. Leaders decided to audit the district’s finances and found fraud, authorities note.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said the 150 small business owners never questioned Davidson’s expenses because they thought the funds were being used to promote their businesses. "Instead, the defendant allegedly used the BID's accounts as her own personal piggy bank, spending non-stop on everything from airline tickets to chocolates. She will now be held accountable,” Thompson said.
Davidson, who was released without bail after pleading not guilty, is defended by lawyer, Morris Shamuil, who says she has records that can justify her expenses, New York Daily News notes.
“She maintains her innocence,” Shamuil said. “She wants to fight the case.”
Image Courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com