Ex-Sag Harbor PTA Vice-President Pleads Guilty After Stealing More Than $10K From Elementary School PTA: DA

SAG HARBOR, NY — A former Sag Harbor PTA president has pleaded guilty to grand larceny after stealing more than $10,000 from the Sag Harbor Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Hope Livingston, 50, of Sag Harbor, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny, Tierney said.

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According to the investigation, Livingston served as the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA co-treasurer from July 2021 to June 2022, and vice-president from July 2022 through June 2024, the DA said.

During that time, Livingston had access to the PTA's bank account through the use of a debit card, which was to be used solely for PTA-related purchases, Tierney said.

In September 2024, when the PTA bank account was turned over to new PTA board members, it was discovered that Livingston had unlawfully used PTA funds for her own personal expenses, Tierney said.

The expenses included purchases from Costco, Amazon, Target, Lululemon, and various local businesses throughout Sag Harbor, the DA said.

On numerous occasions, Livingston also withdrew and stole sums of cash directly from the PTA bank account, Tierney said.

On Tuesday, Livingston pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree grand arceny, a Class D felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, the DA said.

Livingston is due back in court on October 6, where she is expected to be sentenced to five years of probation, Tierney said.

She will also be ordered to pay $14,487 in restitution to the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA, the DA said.

She is being represented by Edward D. Burke, Jr. "My client fully accepted responsibility for her actions," Burke said. "She must pay full restitution during the term of her probation and abide by all conditions and mandates imposed, demonstrating to not only the court, but the community, how deeply sorry she is for her actions."

"Stealing from a school's PTA is not just a crime, it is a betrayal of our children and community," said Tierney. "My office will continue to have zero tolerance for corruption."