Prosecutor: Scam charity duped high school students working at arenas, pocketed their pay

Prosecutors say more than 100 New York high school students and dozens more in Chicago, Houston and Nashville, Tennessee, have been cheated out of promised paychecks by a "scam" charity.

The students were recruited to work at concession stands at Citi Field, Jones Beach Theater and venues in other cities.

A Nassau County prosecutor says concessionaire Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services Inc. believed the students were volunteering for The Herron Foundation charity. She says Herron was paid $100,000 from the concession stands' income to support its charitable programs.

Prosecutors say Herron executives promised the teenage students would be paid $9 an hour. They say two Herron executives pocketed the cash instead.

The executives pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and other charges Thursday. Their lawyers say they are innocent.