The chief financial officer of a not-for-profit group founded by Bronx state Sen. Ruben Diaz was busted today for swiping at least $75,000 in public funds, according to a criminal complaint filed by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Clement Gardner is CFO of the Christian Community Benevolent Association. Diaz, who headed the group in 2002, pumped $500,000 in state grants in 2006-2007.
Schneiderman’s office launched the corruption probe after getting a referral from the FBI.
Clement, arraigned in Bronx state Supreme Court, is charged with grand larceny in the second degree.
It’s part of Schneiderman’s ongoing corruption probe of not-for-profits with ties to state lawmakers.
The niece and top aide of Queens state Sen. Shirley Huntley were charged in December with looting $30,000 in state funds from a group intended to help parents of city school kids.



