NYC special education contractor sentenced to 2 years in prison

A man who ran special education pre-K programs in New York City has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting he stole more than $2 million from the company.

Cheon Park, of Manhasset, Long Island, owned Bilingual SEIT in Queens.

According to The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/1t7BGJ2 ), he pleaded guilty in March to mail fraud and agreed to pay $2.1 million in restitution. He also agreed to forfeit another $1.9 million.

The 46-year-old preschool director was sentenced Thursday.

Park's company received state and city funds to manage the programs for children ages 3 to 5 out of five centers.

Prosecutors say he kicked back much of the money to himself and relatives.

His contracts with the city were canceled at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com