Shelter Executive Passed Counterfeit $20s

THIELLS, NY — The former executive director of the nonprofit organization that operates the county's homeless shelter has been sentenced to one year in the Rockland County Jail for passing counterfeit money.

Ya’el Williams, 55, of 54 Riverglen Drive, Thiells, pleaded guilty in June to one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Third Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor. He had originally been charged with 24 counts.

On Jan. 6, 2016, Williams passed $480 in counterfeit $20 bills to purchase a Netspend money card at a Walgreens in Spring Valley. When he entered his guilty plea before the Honorable Kevin Russo, Williams admitted to knowing the currency was counterfeit when he purchased the money card.

Until recently, Williams was Executive Director of Helping Hands for the Homeless of Rockland, a Spring Valley-based nonprofit organization that operates Rockland County’s 75-bed shelter at Building D of the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex in Pomona.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennison Moran prosecuted the case.

SEE: Plea Bargain For Shelter Executive In Phony Money Case