NYCHA Supervisor Resigns After Being Accused Of Stealing Kitchen Appliances
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A NYCHA supervisor has resigned after being accused of fixing up her own kitchen with items and appliances meant for public housing residents.
Pictures from Eva Torres' kitchen in Woodhaven, Queens, show a new white refrigerator, a double stainless steel sink, and eight cabinets worth a combined $1,400.
Investigators say the serial numbers confirm the goods were bought by NYCHA for the Wagner Houses in Harlem, where Torres worked in the care taking department.
She got caught after posting photos on Facebook showing off the remodeled digs, and she could not deny she took the caibnets because the exact model is made exclusively for NYCHA, reports CBS2's Marcia Kramer.
"They should give her a whole bunch of time like seven, 12 years," said Louise Algarem, a resident in the Wagner Houses.
"If you work for NYCHA, a city job why are you stealing, somebody else unfortunate could have had that," said Stephanie Cardona, another Wagner House resident. "It's sad , it's disgusting."
Torres, who earned $89,000 last year, was nabbed as part of a joint probe by Department of Justice and Queens district attorney Richard Brown.
"Torres' alleged scheme didn't just rip off NYCHA, but also the thousands of residents who rely on the agency for housing," said Brown. "While greed may not be a crime, funneling goods and products meant for the truly needy is."
NYCHA General Manager Vito Mustaciulo insisted Torres "does not represent the honest, hardworking and decent employees of NYCHA."
Residents who knew Torres say they're done with her.
"All that stuff that she stole from other people, people needed that," said resident Ruth Wattley. "I'm disappointed because I always say 'hi' to her all the time."
And now that Torres is facing charges?
"I won't say nothing, I don't think I'll see her any longer, she going go to jail," she said.
Torres resigned her position Friday. If convicted of stealing the items, Torres faces up to four years in prison.
