Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Abi Corbin was arraigned on a grand jury indictment charging her with grand larceny and identity theft for stealing $415,000 from the East-West School of International Studies (P.S. 281Q) where she worked as a community associate. Her role included processing work orders and the stolen money was meant to purchase materials solely for the school. Corbin allegedly used the money to order equipment and merchandise for her private company, Queens Campus Cheer.

District Attorney Katz said: “Instead of purchasing necessary educational materials to help students thrive, the defendant is accused of stealing school funds for her own private cheerleading company. Theft of public funds intended for our students is a serious breach of trust. My office will hold accountable anyone who violates that trust and undermines the integrity of our public education system. I thank our partners at the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District and members of my Public Corruption Bureau for their work on this case.”

Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District Anastasia Coleman said: “Abi Corbin’s actions, as alleged, were a brazen abuse of her official position and a clear violation of the public trust. The hundreds of thousands of dollars she diverted to her private cheerleading business represent vital taxpayer funds intended for the education and well-being of East-West School students. SCI is grateful for the DOE staff members who recognized Corbin’s wrongdoing and promptly reported it to our office. This type of vigilance by DOE staff is a crucial aid in SCI’s mission to root out fraud, corruption, and abuse within the New York City school district. SCI also thanks District Attorney Katz and her staff at the Queens County District Attorney’s office for pursuing prosecution in this important case.”

Corbin, 53, of 232^nd Street in Laurelton, was arraigned today on indictment charges of grand larceny in the second degree and identity theft in the first degree. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered the defendant to return to court December 2. If convicted, Corbin faces a potential maximum of five to 15 years in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, Corbin was employed as a community associate at the East-West School for International Studies in Flushing. Her responsibilities included making all purchases for the school and processing orders in the school’s financial management system.

From July 2021 through July 2024, the defendant allegedly used the school principal’s login information and signature to authorize purchase orders for cheerleading merchandise and materials, which were then used by her private company, Queens Campus Cheer. The total amount of the stolen funds is estimated at approximately $415,000.

On July 31, 2024, the school principal was informed that several boxes were delivered to the school containing cheerleading merchandise. The school does not have a cheerleading team and Queens Campus Cheer is not associated with the school or the Department of Education.

Corbin surrendered to the Queens District Attorney’s office earlier today.

The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District.

Assistant District Attorney Vinnette Campbell of the District Attorney’s Public Corruption Bureau is prosecuting the case with assistance from Investigative Accountant Barak Haimoff, under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard A. Brave.