Former Hempstead School Official Pleads Guilty To Kickback Plot: Feds

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A former director of food services for the Hempstead Union Free School District pleaded guilty on Tuesday in connection to an elaborate kickback scheme, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Sharon Gardner, 56, of Lindenhurst, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, the Department of Justice announced.

Gardner's co-defendant, Maria Caliendo, 57, of Elmont, owner of food service provider Smart Starts NY, Inc. and Prince Umberto's restaurant in Franklin Square, pleaded guilty last month.

"Gardner abused her position of trust as a school official in order to enrich herself with kickbacks she used to pay for overseas vacations and home furnishings. Now she will face the consequences for her greed," United States Attorney Breon Peace said. "This office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute corrupt officials who illegally profit from our public institutions."

According to court filings, Gardner, in her capacity as the Director of Food Services for HUFSD, helped secure lucrative contracts for Caliendo’s company, Smart Starts, to provide prepackaged breakfast meals for Hempstead public school students. In exchange, Caliendo kicked back a portion of the contract proceeds totaling more than $100,000 to Gardner through fraudulent payroll deposits and other payments, the Department of Justice said.

When sentenced, Gardner and Caliendo each face up to 20 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's office said. As part of their respective pleas, Gardner has agreed to forfeit approximately $120,000 and Caliendo has agreed to forfeit approximately $160,000.