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Seemingly Random Acid Attack Was Allegedly Intended To Cover-Up Embezzlement
By
Scott Heins
Published Apr 6, 2016
Modified Apr 6, 2016
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By
Scott Heins
Published Apr 6, 2016
Modified Apr 6, 2016
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A brutal acid attack that left a Queens woman with third degree burns on her face has been revealed to be part of an attempted cover up of embezzlement at a health and education non-profit, prosecutors announced yesterday.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown has filed charges including assault, conspiracy, grand larceny, and criminal possession of a weapon against Jerry Mohammed, 32, and Kim Williams, 47, an accountant who allegedly colluded to steal $750,000 from Healing Arts Initiative and attack its executive director, Alexandra Dyer, as a means of distracting from the embezzlement.
“This case is troubling on so many different levels. In an atmosphere of such giving, it is disheartening to see an individual allegedly use her position of fiduciary trust to siphon off tens of thousands of dollars in funds for the personal use of herself and another," Brown said. "More disturbing, perhaps, is the same individual allegedly conspiring with another individual to intentionally seriously injure an innocent victim as part of a cover-up. The three defendants now face serious charges.”
Dyer, 59, was near her car on Skillman Avenue in Long Island City, Queens, when Mohammed allegedly called out to her from behind. "[She] saw the man standing on the sidewalk with a coffee cup in his hand before he threw the substance in her face," sources told the Post at the time. Dyer took refuge in her car and attempted to drive, but quickly stopped and began screaming inside the vehicle. A passerby called 911 and she was rushed to Cornell Hospital, with third degree burns to her face. ABC reports that Dyer underwent multiple surgeries following the attack.
According to a release from the Queens DA, Williams, who was employed at the non-profit, and Mohammed worked with Williams's close friend Pia Louallen, 41, to steal money from the Healing Arts Initiative between 2013 and 2015. Louallen personally received $150,000. All three suspects were indicted Tuesday, and face maximum sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years, if convicted.
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Acid Attack
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Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
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