A Bronx woman pleaded guilty yesterday to a $54,000 embezzlement scheme that funneled stolen money to a pair of Democratic politicians, including a city councilwoman sources call another “slush fund” scandal-probe target.
SBCC Management Corp. director Margarita Villegas admitted stealing nearly $40,000 from the federally funded nonprofit by ringing up personal expenses on a corporate credit card and doctoring expense-account reports.
The scam also diverted $15,000 from SBCC, which runs two low-income apartment buildings, for the “benefit” of Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo (D-Bronx) and her daughter, Bronx Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Manhattan federal prosecutors said.
That money paid for campaign contributions to Carmen Arroyo and new flooring in her Assembly office, as well as summer interns for both Arroyos, according to prosecutors.
Neither official has been charged. But City Council insiders have told The Post that Maria del Carmen Arroyo could be the next pol ensnared in an ongoing probe that led to prison for former Manhattan Councilman Miguel Martinez and charges last month against Bronx Councilman Larry Seabrook.
Villegas’ lawyer, Michael Rosen, said her deal with the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office — under which she faces 10 to 14 months behind bars — was a “straight guilty plea” that does not include cooperation.
Maria del Carmen Arroyo’s nephew, SBCC president Richard Izquierdo Arroyo, had also been expected to plead guilty yesterday to looting the nonprofit. But his appearance was postponed until next week because his lawyer is dealing with an “ongoing family medical emergency,” court papers said.
