Ex-PTA president Pamela McManus charged with stealing $27G for personal expenses

The former president of a Sachem elementary school PTA has been charged with stealing $27,000 from the group and using it for personal expenses, the Suffolk district attorney said Friday.

Pamela McManus, 42, allegedly used the money for purchases at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Verizon Wireless, PSEG, Sephora and Dick’s Sporting Goods, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a news release.

McManus allegedly stole the money from the Nokomis Elementary School Parent Teacher Association over the course of her three-year term at the Holbrook school, as well as after her term ended, prosecutors said.

McManus, of Holbrook, was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and surrendered to the district attorney's office Thursday. She was arraigned before acting Suffolk County Court Judge Jennifer A. Henry.

Prosecutors said McManus had sole access to the PTA bank account through a Visa debit card during her time as president from July 2021 to June 2024 and past the expiration of her term.

When she turned over account access to other PTA board members in October, it was allegedly discovered that she had unlawfully used PTA funds to pay for personal expenses.

She also allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals from the PTA bank account during summer and holiday breaks.

McManus was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court July 10.

"Parent Teacher Associations are an integral part of our school communities throughout Suffolk County," Tierney said. "The allegations in this case represent a disturbing betrayal of trust."

McManus’ lawyer, Jonathan Scher, declined to comment.