Former Sen. Shirley Huntley has pleaded guilty to a new felony corruption charge of tampering with physical evidence, according to a joint announcement from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Huntley is accused of submitting fraudulent documentation in order to obstruct a probe into the theft of a member item grant she sponsored from a “sham” non-profit organization known as the Parent Workshop, Schneiderman and DiNapoli sai.

“It is unconscionable that an elected official would deliberately tamper with a law enforcement investigation into the theft of taxpayer dollars,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “Former Senator Huntley’s felony plea sends a strong message that those who abuse their positions to rip off taxpayers and tamper with investigations will be held accountable. My office’s partnership with the Comptroller is designed to combat such corruption, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect every penny of taxpayer money during these challenging economic times.”
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Previously two of Huntley’s former aides were charged with pocketing $29,950 in state funds that Huntley had steered to the non-profit.

Huntley, 74, last month pleaded guilty to concurrent federal corruption charges for her role in the scheme.

She faces up to two years in prison. Schneiderman and DiNapoli said prosecutors recommended a sentence of five years probation in exchange for her felony guilty plea.

“Former Senator Huntley betrayed the trust of her constituents and her public duty,” DiNapoli said. “State officials must be held to the highest standards. My office will continue to work with the Attorney General to investigate wrongdoing and protect taxpayer funds.”

The guilty plea is another product of the working relationship shared by DiNapoli and Schneiderman when it comes to cracking down on public corruption and fraud.

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