Ronald Ousman making full restitution of more than $35,000
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a former acting treasurer of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow was sentenced today for stealing more than $35,000 from the church between May 2014 and May 2015.
Ronald Ousman, 39, of Bayside, was sentenced by Nassau County District Court Judge Martin Massell to pay full restitution, serve three years of probation and serve 210 hours of community service. Ousman’s attorney is currently holding $20,000 in restitution money in escrow and any amount still due following the sentence will be paid through the Department of Probation. Ousman pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny (an A misdemeanor) in January. Ousman faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail if he fails to complete paying restitution.
“Ronald Ousman abused the trust bestowed upon him by the church, stealing more than $35,000 that could have gone to worthy causes but was instead diverted into his own pockets,” DA Singas said. “Thanks to church officials contacting my office, the defendant has been prosecuted and will make full restitution to pay for his crime against this faith community.”
DA Singas said that between May 16, 2014 and May 7, 2015, Ousman, while serving as acting church treasurer embezzled $35,608. The defendant made a series of cash withdrawals from the church’s checking and money market accounts.
The investigation began when church officials contacted the Internal Revenue Service to verify certain tax information. IRS employees informed church officials that certain payments were never received by the IRS. An investigation was opened by the DA’s office in May 2015.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Mancuso of DA Singas’ Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Ousman is represented by Scott Limmer, Esq.