Ex-Executive at N.Y. Priest’s Nonprofit Charged with Theft
December 21, 2012 | Read Time: 1 minute
A former top official at a New York State substance-abuse program led by an Albany priest was charged Thursday with embezzling more than $200,000 from the organization, The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports.
Dennis Bassat, 53, of Middle Grove, N.Y., was the chief operating officer of 820 River Street, an arm of Peter Young Housing, Industry and Treatment. Mr. Bassat, who was associated for 25 years with the statewide social-service network founded by the Rev. Peter Young, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday.
New York State and federal authorities have been investigating the Young organization’s finances and its hiring of a former state legislator who arranged a series of grants to the charity.
