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Girl Scout Exec Caught with Hand in Cookie Jar

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on October 12, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Former Girl Scouts money manager Yaasmin Hooey, 35, was caught doing something decidedly against the organization's credo. Hooey is accused of pilfering $310,000 from the non-profit.

Hooey served as the organization's director of finance in New York. Authorities say she started stealing money in 2008. She wrote 65 checks using the director's forged signature. She also sent 9 wire transfers to her own checking account.

What did Hooey buy? Railroad tickets, groceries, and other items including a $13,000 diamond ring and a luxury cruise. That's the equivalent of... well, a whole lot of Thin Mints.

Hooey was charged with grand larceny, forgery, criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsifying business records and criminal tax fraud.

Why wasn't she charged with embezzlement, which is different than larceny? The crime of theft or larceny is defined as the taking of something of value from its true owner with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.

Embezzlement is the same as theft or larceny, except that the person was in a position of trust or responsibility over the assets.

Hooey was the director of finance for the organization. It's more than likely that she was responsible for the money in some way.

Why not charge her with embezzlement then? They may have simply decided it would be easier to prove up and convict Hooey of a grand larceny charge.

One thing is for sure: former Girl Scouts money manager Yaasmin Hooey is in a whole world of trouble and could be facing jail time. When you commit fraud and steal money, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

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