Former Sachem PTA President In 3rd Degree Larceny Guilty Plea Gets Year Of Probation, Community Service: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — The former Parent Teacher Association president for Nokomis Elementary School, accused last year of bilking $27,000 from the organization, has pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny, a spokeswoman for Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney's office said Thursday.

In June last year, McManus, 42, of Holbrook, was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony, in connection with stealing over $27,000 over her three-year term, prosecutors said.

McManus initially entered a not guilty plea to the charge after her arrest last summer, but reversed her plea on Tuesday, online court records show.

She was placed on interim probation for one year, during which time she must finish 70 hours of community service, and if she’s successful, she will receive a misdemeanor conviction and a conditional discharge as her sentence, according to Tierney's spokeswoman.

She had previously paid restitution to the PTA, Tierney's office said.

Her defense attorney, Jonathan Louis Scher, of Garden City, was not immediately available.

Patch has reached out to the PTA for comment.

In a statement to Patch, Schools Superintendent Patti Trombetta said that while PTAs operate as independent organizations, we are deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our school community."

"We value and thank the many dedicated PTA volunteers who contribute positively to our schools each day. Any misuse of funds intended to benefit students is taken seriously, and we support efforts that ensure proper safeguards and oversight," she added.

At the time of her arrest, prosecutors said McManus served as president of the Nokomis Elementary School PTA from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, and during that time, and continuing past the expiration of her term as president, she had "sole access" to the PTA bank account through a Visa debit card.

In October 2024, when she turned over access to the bank account to other PTA board members, it was discovered that she had unlawfully used PTA funds to pay for numerous personal expenses, including purchases from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Verizon Wireless, PSEG, Sephora, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, according to prosecutors.

It is also alleged that on numerous occasions, McManus stole cash directly from the PTA bank account by making unauthorized withdrawals when school was not in session, such as during summer break and holiday breaks, prosecutors said.

Her offense was considered non-bail eligible under state law, and therefore, she was released on her own recognizance after her arrest.

DA Ray Tierney previously noted that the PTA is "an integral part of our school communities throughout Suffolk County," saying that the allegations in the case "represent a disturbing betrayal of trust," and his office "will continue to hold accountable those who unlawfully abuse their positions for personal gain."