DA: Home Depot worker charged with workplace charity scam

A Queens Village man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities said he used his job at Home Depot and a religious charity he set up to pocket more than $100,000.

Alfred Williams, who worked at the home improvement chain's Elmont store, could spend up to 15 years in prison if convicted of charges including grand larceny and identity theft, the Nassau County district attorney's office said.

Defense attorney Robert Schalk said his client pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday. "He looks forward to his day in court," he said.

Prosecutors said the defendant operated the charity, called Faith Without Walls International Ministries, from his home.

Authorities accused Williams, 57, of falsely reporting to his employer's gift-matching program that more than 40 employees had donated to his charity. The program sent matching funds to the charity, which the defendant kept for himself, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said an investigation began after a store employee tried to donate to another charity under the match program and was told she had already donated the maximum for that year.