Former President Of Beard Foundation Admits Larceny

Attorney General Spitzer said today that the former president of the James Beard Foundation has pleaded guilty to stealing the foundation's funds.

Leonard F. Pickell, Jr. pleaded guilty today to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, before Justice James Yates in New York County Supreme Court.

Pickell admitted to stealing over $50,000 from the foundation and using the money for his own personal purposes. He further admitted he was not authorized to take this money.

The sentencing in the case was adjourned until March 23. Pickell faces a maximum permissible sentence of five to 15 years in state prison.

A civil investigation relating to the finances of the foundation is continuing

The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Johanna Sullivan under the direction of Deputy Chief Kevin Suttlehan and Bureau Chief Janet Cohn of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau.

The case was investigated by New York State Police Investigator Eric Castellar, under the supervision of Senior Supervising Investigator Eliezer Roman, and Forensic Accountant/Investigator Lester Dier, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Hank Lemons.