Queens park advocate, 82, swindled $50K: DA

A former Parks Department administrator was busted Tuesday for allegedly stealing thousands from her nonprofit conservancy group, the Queens district attorney said.

Estelle Cooper, 82, was arraigned on grand larceny charges after the authorities say she stole $50,000 from Unisphere, Inc, from 2007 to November, one month before she resigned as the organization's executive director, the DA said.

The money was supposed to be used for activities in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where Cooper used to be an administrator, according to the DA.

Cooper was released on her own recognizance but faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.