First SF, Now NY. Another Abortion Activist out in Financial Scandal

Last year, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate's long-time Director Dian Harrison was fired in the midst of a financial scandal. Now it's an even bigger fish, NARAL Pro-Choice New York's ex-President Kelli Conlin.

Steve Ertelt at Life News describes Conlin:

"Kelli Conlin was the pro-abortion giant of New York — essentially running the pro-abortion movement in the Empire State. That is, until she was forced to quit recently after allegations related to massive financial misconduct."

On Tuesday, as the story developed, the New York Times reported a statement from two NARAL spokesmen:

“No conclusions have been reached based on the information gathered thus far, and there has been no determination as to whether there was any wrongdoing that would require the notification of the legal or regulatory authorities,” Ms. Howard and Ms. Steck said in their statement.

But today's New York Post reported that the "legal or regulatory" authorities aren't waiting for any notification from NARAL:

"ALBANY – Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance launched a criminal probe today into wild overspending by an influential pro-choice charity that counts the state attorney general’s father as its treasurer.

The investigation came on the heels of a bombshell internal audit that found ex-NARAL Pro-Choice New York President Kelli Conlin siphoned more than $100,000 from the abortion rights group to support her own lavish lifestyle.

The leaked audit, which was first detailed Tuesday night on the State of Politics blog, questioned the longtime NARAL chief’s spending on meals, high-end clothing, a summer rental in the Hamptons and more than $100,000 on a car service she ordered to chauffeur her kids to school.

The Post story also noted that in New York, just like in California, the Democratic Party and abortion activists are pretty much interchangable:

"The allegations against one of New York’s most high-profile Democrat-allied activist groups could have far-reaching political implications, particularly for state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Schneiderman, whose office regulates charities, received the abortion-rights group’s potent endorsement during last year’s contentious Democratic attorney general primary.

The attorney general’s father, Irwin Schneiderman, was NARAL’s treasurer during the period covered by the audit.

Schneiderman’s office, after promising comment for hours to respond, issued a statement late today afternoon pledging to name special counsel to handle 'any potential investigation or agency action' into NARAL.

'Because of the nature of his father’s association with the organization, Attorney General Schneiderman will recuse himself from any investigation into the matter,' Schneiderman Danny Kanner said.

Meanwhile, Vance was already "actively investigating" the charity, according to a source familiar with the probe."