BRONX, N.Y. — A Bronx public school employee, her husband, and a friend have been indicted on corruption and fraud charges for allegedly stealing more than $173,000 in funds meant for a middle school in the Longwood neighborhood, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Rusnelly Clase, 40, a Community Associate at Middle School 302, is accused of orchestrating a four-year scheme to divert school funds by submitting false invoices for services and goods never provided. The alleged vendors were her husband, Justin Echevarria, 37, and her friend, Lisa Michelle Geraldino, 36, according to Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District Anastasia Coleman.
“While working at Middle School 302 in Longwood, the defendant allegedly stole much-needed funds from the school in a fraud scheme that lasted four years, enriching herself, her husband, and her friend,” District Attorney Clark said in a statement. “It is unconscionable that they would deprive children in this way.”
The indictment alleges that Clase and her accomplices submitted fraudulent invoices totaling $173,000 for goods and services that were never delivered to the school. Prosecutors say the funds, earmarked for students, were instead pocketed by the defendants over the course of several years.
The three defendants face a 296-count indictment and were arraigned in Bronx Supreme Court before Justice Brenda Rivera. They were released on supervised release and are due back in court on January 28, 2025.
Prosecutors say the case highlights the misuse of limited public resources meant to benefit students, with Special Commissioner Coleman stating, “There can be no tolerance for this type of fraud within the New York City school system.”
