Queens Woman Charged with Stealing Over $220,000 Meant for School Serving Disabled Students
Shortly after depositing the funds, the defendant is accused of purchasing a Chanel purse
August 21, 2025
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a Queens woman was arrested Thursday morning on multiple felony charges for allegedly stealing over $220,000 in funds intended for the Mount Pleasant Cottage School Union Free School District, which serves students with educational, behavioral and emotional challenges.
Nataly Ramos Allende, 26, was arraigned Thursday in the Mount Pleasant Justice Court on two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony.
Justice Mark Rubeo, Jr., released the defendant on her own recognizance as none of the charges are bail-eligible. She is due back in court on Oct. 2.
DA Cacace said: "It is unconscionable that anyone would prey upon a public school district, especially one serving our most vulnerable students. My office will not hesitate to act where the welfare of our children is at stake. We will work to ensure that the school districts victimized by this alleged scheme are made whole."
As alleged in a felony complaint, on Nov. 6, 2024, the defendant incorporated a limited liability company in New Jersey entitled "Mt Pleasant Cottage School LLC" and opened a Citibank account in the LLC’s name shortly thereafter.
On Nov. 15, the defendant deposited into the Citibank account a $107,402.40 check issued by the Southern Westchester BOCES to the "Mt Pleasant Cottage School," according to the felony complaint.
By law, public school districts are required, in some circumstances, to pay for their disabled students’ out-of-district educational expenses.
Further, on Nov. 25, the defendant is accused of opening another bank account in the LLC’s name at Chase Bank. As alleged in the felony complaint, the defendant deposited two checks issued to the Mount Pleasant Cottage School into this account: one, worth $96,103.43, issued by the County of Onondaga; another, worth $7,438.26, issued by the Carmel Central School District.
Further still, on Dec. 5, the defendant is accused of opening a bank account at the Bank of America in the LLC’s name. Into this account, the defendant deposited a $19,114.05 check issued by the County of Onondaga to the Mount Pleasant Cottage School.
After depositing the above-referenced checks, the defendant made cash withdrawals and bought a Chanel purse, according to the felony complaint.
The investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Mount Pleasant Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily Rowe-Smith of the Economic Crimes Bureau.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind Westchester residents to avoid, to the extent practicable, issuing physical checks in the mail.
Despite the decreasing use of physical checks, check-related fraud has surged since the start of the pandemic. Federal regulatory filings related to check fraud increased by 132% from 2020 to 2024.
In lieu of physical checks, consumers can make payments electronically through their bank’s website or mobile app.
An educational flyer is attached outlining helpful tips to stay clear of check-related scams.
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The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.