School-district treasurer in Otsego County pleads guilty to stealing $34,000

MORRIS, N.Y. — A former treasurer for the Morris Central School District in Otsego County has admitted to stealing at least $34,000 from her employer over a six-year period.

Kristina Hand, 47, of Morris, has pleaded guilty to two counts of federal-program theft, for stealing from a school district that received federal funds, according to a Wednesday announcement from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon.

In her role as treasurer from 2014 through February 2020, Hand stole about $24,000 by depositing checks payable to the school district into bank accounts that she controlled. She also admitted to pilfering at least $10,000 more by using the school district’s Amazon account and credit cards to purchase items for her personal use.

Hand is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21. She faces up to 10 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and up to three years of post-imprisonment supervised release, DiNapoli’s office said. Hand has also agreed to pay $34,000 in restitution.

The Morris Central School District is a small rural district, located in the village of Morris in the Butternut Valley of Otsego County. It has a school population of about 300 students, housed in one building for students from Pre-K to 12th grade. The district has about 100 employees.

This case was investigated by the FBI, New York State Police, New York State Comptroller’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

“Stealing money meant for the education of children is shameful,” DiNapoli said. “Ms. Hand abused her position to fund her lifestyle at the expense of her community. …She has been held accountable for her actions.”