N.Y. Couple Pleads Guilty in $500,000 Cancer-Charity Scheme

A Long Island couple accused of raising more than $500,000 for a phony breast-cancer charity and spending it on themselves pleaded guilty Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

The New York State Attorney General’s office said David and Mindy Winston of Great Neck, N.Y., “supported a lavish lifestyle” through an unregistered organization called the Coalition for Breast Cancer Cures. Donations paid for vacations, shopping, and their daughter’s dues at a college sorority, among other things, state officials said.

David Winston pleaded guilty to grand larceny and faces up to six years in prison. Mindy Winston admitted to lesser charges and will receive probation. A lawyer for Ms. Winston said a civil lawsuit against the couple will also be settled shortly.