Emily Dominguez, a former Deputy Mayor and Village Trustee of Haverstraw, has been given a sentence of probation and restitution after being found guilty of embezzling approximately $11,000 from the Rockland Community Foundation (RCF). District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II made the announcement on May 22, 2023.
Dominguez, who was also a board member and past president of the RCF, a non-profit organization responsible for managing charitable funds in Rockland County, including the Haverstraw Neighborhood Fund (HNF), which she helped establish. The HNF aimed to support Haverstraw residents through fundraising initiatives such as an annual backpack fundraiser and holiday meals.
However, between March and October 2020, Dominguez and an accomplice submitted 18 fraudulent receipts to the RCF for reimbursement. These receipts, falsely claiming expenses from Portobello’s restaurant and catering where Janice Dominguez worked, were entirely fabricated. They falsely represented food provided to Haverstraw residents, although no such food was ever delivered.
On September 20, 2022, Dominguez pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, admitting her involvement in the scheme of submitting false receipts and stealing money from the RCF. The defense highlighted Dominguez’s extensive community work and her clean record in numerous charitable organizations.
District Attorney Walsh II emphasized the obligation of elected officials to uphold the law and serve the community with integrity in his statement. He expressed satisfaction that the sentencing marked the conclusion of the criminal investigation, held the official accountable, and ensured restitution to the RCF. He commended the Rockland County District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit and the New York State Comptroller’s Office for their work on this multi-agency case.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli echoed Walsh’s sentiments, stating that Dominguez’s actions betrayed the trust of Haverstraw’s citizens by stealing from programs meant to assist residents in need. He expressed gratitude for his partnership with District Attorney Walsh in holding Dominguez accountable.
Julie Sadowski, Executive Director of the Rockland Community Foundation, affirmed the organization’s commitment to serving the community through the funds it oversees. She expressed relief that $11,000 was restored to the Haverstraw Neighborhood Fund and pledged to collaborate with the broader Haverstraw community to rejuvenate this project fund according to its original purpose.
Judge Prisco sentenced Emily Dominguez to five years of probation and ordered her to pay $8,966.25 in restitution directly to the Rockland Community Foundation.