Another NY politician indicted for corruption

Edul Ahmad

…in web that snared Ed mad

Another New York City politician was yesterday indicted for stealing taxpayer funds, becoming the latest to be snared in a web in which Guyanese businessman Ed Ahmad has been a key figure.

The New York Daily News reported that city councillor Ruben Wills, 42, who had been serving since 2010, was arrested Wednesday on charges of misusing more than US$30,000 in taxpayer money for personal purposes, including shopping trips to Nordstrom and Century 21, and the purchase of a US$750 Louis Vuitton handbag.

A dozen charges were filed against Wills including scheming to defraud, grand larceny and falsifying business records. A relative, Jelani Mills, also was charged with taking part in the scheme.

“This is essentially taking taxpayer money that was supposed to be helping children in need,” state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was quoted as saying in the Daily News report.

Wills, however, denied the charges.

According to the report, Wills allegedly misused US$19,000 of a US$33,000 grant that a non-profit he founded, New York 4 Life,