A pro wrestling-loving day care director who embezzled millions from a swanky Brooklyn preschool pleaded guilty to her crimes Thursday, and could face more than six years behind bars for her low blow.
Murielle Misczak, 43, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court Thursday to wire fraud, admitting she siphoned nearly $3 million in tuition payments from KinderHaus, a high-priced the German-language preschool in Park Slope.
She used the pilfered payments for more than $650,000 in travel and entertainment, including more than $350,000 for tickets to pro wrestling events, according to the feds.
“The defendant took advantage of her access to bank accounts for the Daycare to steal millions in tuition payments in order to line her own pockets and fund trips to World Wrestling Entertainment events among other personal expenses,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said.
Federal sentencing guidelines put her possible sentence at five-and-a-quarter to six-and-a-half years, and she had to pay more than $2.8 million in restitution. Misczak, a Swiss citizen, also faces possible deportation at the end of her sentence.
KinderHaus, which serves children ages 1 to kindergarten, describes itself as “a full-day, year-round early education hub that is multilingual, globally connected, and grounded in research, play, and a deep respect for each child.” Annual tuition ranges from $17,201 for two days a week to $32,857 for five days, according to its website.
The school changed its billing practices in 2020 to an electronic direct deposit system, and parents could no longer pay by credit card. In 2022, Misczak set up an apparent workaround, letting parents pay their bills with PayPal.
Unbeknownst to them, or the school, she was having them send the money into her personal accounts, and because she had control over the school’s computer and accounting systems, she was able to cover her tracks for years.
It all fell apart in October, when, according to a civil lawsuit filed against her by the school, KinderHaus’ principal needed to use her own personal savings to cover payroll.
Misczak remains free on $200,000 bond until her sentencing.