Report: Providence Hogan, Caught Embezzling From PS 29, Would Prefer Jail Time

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Providence Hogan, who used her position on the PTA to steal $82,000 from P.S. 29, now says she'd prefer to go to jail, according to a report.

Back in July, a judge ordered Hogan a chance to avoid prison time by simply paying back the money she stole, plus interest. As part of the deal, Hogan was to cut a check for $40,000 and pay the rest in installments.

"If the school thinks they can get the money [I took] they're wrong," Hogan told the Brooklyn Paper. "I might as well got to jail for as long as possible. That would be nothing to what I'm enduring now. [To me] this ordeal has been jail."

The $82k isn't the only debt Hogan's carrying, the paper reported. She also owes more than $44,000 in taxes and $40,000 in rent.

"When I told my daughter what I did, she said 'You made a mistake, you can fix it,'" Hogan reportedly said. "I'm trying to show her that I can fix this, but there's no fixing this and I don't know what I can do."

Hogan faces up to 15 years in prison if she can't pay the cash back.

Hogan's attorney Stephen Flamhaft said personal and financial setbacks prompted Hogan to steal the money. She was attempting to keep her day spa business on Atlantic Avenue open, Flamhaft said.

Some folks have expressed sympathy for Hogan.

"I feel sorry for her family. I feel sorry that she was desperate enough to do something like that, but at the same time she has seriously injured the school community," said Neil Wherle back in July. He was then president of the PTA. "Especially at a time with budget cuts. We could really use that money to support smaller classroom sizes."

What's your reaction to the case? Would you send her to prison or force her to sell assets to pay the money back, or both? Sound off in our comments section.