LEGAL NEWSLINE

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Friday his office has settled with the former president of NARAL-NY Pro-Choice and its affiliated foundation, resolving allegations she siphoned funds for personal use.

Kelli Conlin, the former president of NARAL and the National Institute for Reproductive Health, allegedly abused her position and used charitable funds for her personal benefit.

In a June 2012 lawsuit, Schneiderman alleged that Conlin used NIRH funds to pay for personal travel, rental of a vacation home, shopping sprees at luxury retailers, take-out meals from restaurants near her home and dinners at fine restaurants.

Harlan Levy, the chief deputy attorney general and counsel to Schneiderman, said the settlement brings closure to an unfortunate chapter in the life of the two reputable organizations. He said the Attorney General's Office will continue to root out abuses of power in the charitable sector.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Conlin will pay $20,000 in restitution to NARAL, which adds to the $75,000 she paid in 2012 related to her plea to criminal charges brought by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

If the settlement is approved, Conlin will be permanently barred from serving as a fiduciary of any not-for-profit organization registered in the state.

Conlin also agreed to dismiss claims she asserted against NARAL.