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Semeo Doe, the former Executive Director of the Action Center for Education and Community Development, Inc. in Far Rockaway, was arrested on Friday and indicted on charges of embezzlement and conspiracy in Brooklyn federal court.
Doe, 57, was also charged with identity theft, wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy in connection with misrepresentations he made to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.
The indictment alleges that between 2010 and May this year, Doe served as the executive director of the Action Center, which provided services to children and young adults, and provided meals to individuals in need.
U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue said that Doe allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for personal expenses that included international vacations, jewelry, luxury cars and cosmetic surgery. As part of the scheme, Doe also caused Action Center to submit reimbursement requests - including financial compensation for two employees for work after they died - for costs that were never incurred.
According to the indictment, Doe concealed his scheme by forging the signature of Action Center employees on checks he had issued in those employees’ names, endorsed the checks and deposited them into his personal bank accounts.
“As alleged, Doe stole money that was supposed to feed the hungry and provide children with after-school services, and used it to finance his lavish lifestyle,” Donoghue stated. “Today’s indictment serves notice that those who steal from charities to line their pockets will pay the price in the end.”
If convicted, Doe faces 10 years in prison on the embezzlement charges, five years on the conspiracy charges and 20 years for the fraud charges. If he is convicted of identity theft, he faces a mandatory term of two years in prison.
“It’s difficult to imagine a justification for embezzling money slated to provide services for children and adults in need, but Doe was able to excuse this behavior—at least in some part—in exchange for luxurious personal items and international travel,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said. “Corrupting city-funded nonprofits isn’t just disgraceful, it’s also a federal crime.”
In a statement, Margaret Garnett, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation said, “This defendant allegedly diverted funds meant for youth and adult programming in Queens into his own pockets, using hundreds of thousands of public dollars he funneled through a shell corporation to pay for expenses for himself and his family, according to the charges. Fraud involving City nonprofits robs New Yorkers of programming that enriches lives and provides opportunity.”
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