Former Sag Harbor Elementary PTA Vice-President Accused Of Stealing More Than $10K From PTA Bank Account: DA

SAG HARBOR, NY — A former Sag Harbor Elementary PTA vice-president was arrested and charged after she reportedly stole more than $10,000 from the PTA bank account, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Hope Livingston, 50, of Sag Harbor, was arrested and arraigned on a charge of third-degree grand larceny after reportedly stealing from the Sag Harbor Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, Tierney said.

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.

During that time Livingston had access to the PTA 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 reportedly and unlawfully used PTA funds for her own personal expenses, the DA said.

Those expenses included purchases from Costco, Amazon, Target, Lululemon, and various local businesses throughout Sag Harbor, Tierney said.

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

On March 3, Livingston was surrendered to the District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Riverhead Town Justice Sean Walter in Riverhead Town Justice Court on the third degree grand larceny charge, a Class D felony, Tierney said.

Walter ordered Livingston released without bail because her charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail, the DA said.

Livingston is due back in court on March 17; and she is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

"Parent Teacher Associations are one of the cornerstones of school communities across Long Island," said Tierney. "The allegations in this case represent an egregious betrayal of the trust the residents of Sag Harbor placed in this defendant, and my office will continue to hold accountable those individuals who unlawfully enrich themselves at the public’s expense."