Ex-head of NY aid agency for poor Jews pleads guilty to larceny
William Rapfogel will get at least three years behind bars, plus pay $3 million restitution
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
NEW YORK — William Rapfogel, the ousted leader of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty in New York, pleaded guilty to first-degree larceny Wednesday for his role in a scheme to steal more than $7 million from the social service agency.
Rapfogel, who had served as CEO and president of the Met Council from 1992 until he was fired last August, entered a guilty plea in New York state Supreme Court in Manhattan, in a plea deal that calls for him to receive a 3- to 10-year prison sentence and repay the charity $3 million, according to Newsday.
David Cohen, Rapfogel’s predecessor at the council, also pleaded guilty for his role in the scam.
Rapfogel was fired after financial irregularities were discovered in an investigation initiated by the Met Council’s board of directors. New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the state comptroller’s office then opened a probe.
Rapfogel was arrested in September and charged with grand larceny and money laundering.
“I deeply regret the mistakes I have made that led to my departure from the organization,” he said following his ouster by the social service agency.
Rapfogel inflated the Met Council’s health insurance payments by several hundred thousand dollars a year and then split the proceeds with politicians who supplied grants to the agency.
An annual breakfast he hosted drew many influential political figures.
The Met Council provides employment services, crisis intervention, emergency food and other programs for poor Jewish households.
The Times of Israel Community.