Money given to a charity that helped disabled children was instead used to fund director's lavish lifestyle
The former executive director of a charity for disabled children milked the organizations for thousands of dollars to fund his lavish lifestyle of luxury vacations and NBA tickets.
Stuart Nitzkin, 45, of Deerfield, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud during a hearing last week in federal court. He is set to be sentenced later this summer and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Between 2011 and 2016, Nitzkin worked as executive director for an Illinois-based non-profit whose mission was to help the rehabilitation of physically- and psychologically challenged children, according to prosecutors.
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Nitzkin submitted various payments and receipts to the charity he claimed were for the organization, but were instead for personal use.
The reimbursements included luxury vacations for himself and his family to Las Vegas, Florida, Ireland and Puerto Rico, according to prosecutors.
Other tabs included Chicago Bulls tickets, medical expenses, real estate taxes for his home, health club dues, car maintenance and household goods.
Prosecutors say Nitzkin stole about $831,400 from the charity.
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