Ex-ACS employee pleads guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from kids: Manhattan DA

NEW YORK (PIX11) – A former executive director for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in gift card funds from children, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Tuesday. 

Courtney Ramirez, 51, stole 14 gift cards worth $4,900, all intended for kids who participated in ACS’s Close to Home Leadership Incentive programs, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

“Courtney Ramirez took advantage of her leadership position at an agency that seeks to help children facing immense challenges and used their gifts for herself,” said Bragg.  

From 2019 to 2020, Ramirez was supposed to oversee a program that supervises young people in out-of-home placements. Children who completed courses that she oversaw were supposed to receive a Visa gift card for completing juvenile justice programs and the Close to Home programs. Instead, Ramirez pocketed 14 gift cards each valued at $350, and used them for personal expenses, according to court documents.

Ramirez submitted false paperwork to make it appear as though the children received the funds, officials said.

The crime was uncovered after another ACS employee reported to the Department of Investigations that a young person who allegedly signed for a gift card never received any money.  

Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct. Under the terms of the plea, Ramirez will pay $4,900 in restitution to ACS and waive her right to appeal.

If Ramirez pays the full restitution, she will be sentenced to a conditional discharge, officials said.  

"I thank the ACS employee who prompted this investigation by reporting potential misconduct to DOI and I thank our law enforcement partner the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to holding accountable those City employees who abuse their positions," said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber.