Tag:

Maria Caliendo

Former Hempstead School Official Admits To Kickback Scheme, Ordered To Pay $120K Former Hempstead School Official Admits To Kickback Scheme, Ordered To Pay $120K
Former Hempstead School Official Admits To Kickback Scheme, Ordered To Pay $120K A former school district official on Long Island traveled the world after raking in six figures as part of an illegal kickback scheme, prosecutors said. Sharon Gardner, age 56, of Lindenhurst, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud in federal court in Central Islip Tuesday, Nov. 29. Garnder admitted that she helped secure lucrative contracts for Smart Starts, a company owned by co-defendant Maria Caliendo, while working as the director of food services for the Hempstead Union Free School District, according to prosecutors. The company provides prepackaged breakfa…
Former Hempstead School Official, Restaurateur Indicted In Kickback Scheme Former Hempstead School Official, Restaurateur Indicted In Kickback Scheme
Former Hempstead School Official, Restaurateur Indicted In Kickback Scheme A former school official on Long Island is facing charges for allegedly scheming with a restaurateur in a million-dollar kickback scheme, federal authorities announced. An indictment was unsealed on Thursday, May 19 charging Lindenhurst resident Sharon Gardner, age 56, the former Director of Food Services for the Hempstead Union Free School District, and Elmont resident Maria Caliendo, age 57, in the scam. US Attorney Breon Peace said that Gardner and Caliendo - the owner of foodservice providers Smart Starts NY, Inc. and Prince Umberto’s restaurant in Franklin Square - have been charged wi…