A former Long Island PTA vice president has admitted to stealing more than $14,000 from a Sag Harbor elementary school, a betrayal of trust that saw money meant for young students spent on luxury athletic wear and retail shopping. The case highlights how easily community-raised funds can be diverted when financial oversight is lacking.
WHAT HAPPENED
Hope Livingston, 50, of Sag Harbor, pleaded guilty in Suffolk County court to one count of third-degree grand larceny, which is a Class D felony. The plea comes after a thorough investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office into the finances of the Sag Harbor Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Livingston served as the PTA's co-treasurer from July 2021 to June 2022, and then as its vice president from July 2022 through June 2024. During her multi-year tenure, she had direct access to the PTA's bank account through a debit card that was supposed to be used strictly for school-related expenses. This position of trust allowed her to manage the organization's funds with minimal day-to-day oversight, which prosecutors say she ultimately exploited.
Instead, prosecutors revealed that Livingston systematically drained the account over a period of nearly a year. She used the card to make personal purchases at high-end stores like Lululemon, as well as Costco, Amazon, Target, and various local businesses throughout Sag Harbor. She also made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals directly from the PTA's bank account, slowly depleting the funds that parents and community members had worked hard to raise.
The theft went unnoticed until September 2024, when a newly elected PTA board took over the accounts and discovered glaring financial discrepancies. Livingston was arrested in March 2026 after surrendering to the district attorney's office.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Hope Livingston, 50, former Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA co-treasurer and vice president.
- Stolen Amount: $14,487 taken from the PTA bank account.
- Duration of Theft: Occurred during her tenure between July 2021 and June 2024.
- Retailers Involved: Lululemon, Costco, Amazon, Target, and local Sag Harbor shops.
- Guilty Plea: Third-degree grand larceny, entered on Aug. 4, 2026.
WHY IT MATTERS
PTAs rely heavily on the generosity of local parents, teachers, and community members who donate their time and money to support elementary school children. When those funds are stolen, it directly impacts student programs, field trips, and classroom supplies.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney emphasized the damage done to the community's trust. "Stealing from a school's PTA is not just a crime, it is a betrayal of our children and community," Tierney said in a statement.
Tierney also stressed his office's commitment to pursuing similar cases. "We will continue to hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain," the district attorney said. He added that his office maintains a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and the theft of public or community funds.
A skeptical view is that while Livingston has pleaded guilty, the broader circumstances surrounding the theft remain unclear. Court records have not fully explained how the alleged misuse of PTA funds continued for such an extended period without detection or whether weaknesses in the organization's financial controls contributed to the losses. The case may prompt additional questions about governance and oversight within volunteer organizations, beyond the actions of a single individual.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Livingston is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 6, 2026, for her formal sentencing before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft. Under the terms of her plea agreement, she is expected to receive five years of probation.
Additionally, the court will order Livingston to pay $14,487 in full restitution directly to the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA. Her defense attorney, Edward D. Burke Jr., stated that his client has fully accepted responsibility for her actions and intends to abide by all court mandates, including paying back every dollar stolen during her probation period.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How did the unauthorized transactions go unnoticed by other board members and school officials for nearly three years?
- Will the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA implement new financial oversight measures or audits to prevent future theft?
- What specific school programs, events, or student activities had to be defunded or canceled as a result of the missing $14,487?
SOURCE NOTE
This story draws on reporting from the New York Post.