Drugs, Anger Management Problems
Plague Brooklyn’s Andy Lewis
By Mary Frost
CADMAN PLAZA EAST — It seems that former “Toxic Preschool” boss Andy Lewis, accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from a food program meant to feed Brooklyn children, has bigger problems than angry parents, suppliers and landlords.
Lewis, 24, who appeared before Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto Thursday wearing a gray suit and short-cropped hair, was told he has one more chance to prove he has given up cocaine before being shipped off to a residential treatment center. Judge Matsumoto ordered immediate and ongoing drug testing.
He also has until Monday to provide the court with pay stubs proving he has regular employment, something he has apparently failed to do in spite of repeated requests.
Additionally, Lewis has been attending anger management courses, as ordered by a Manhattan court after experiencing trouble in that borough.
A representative from Pretrial Services told the judge Thursday that Lewis tested positive for cocaine eight times since testing began about four months ago, and has evaded many of the mandated tests. “He has repeatedly manipulated the system, repeatedly failed to show up for drug tests,” she said.
Only once – on the most recent test – did he test negative for cocaine use, a result seized upon by his lawyer, R. Peter Kirchheimer, as “the first good news I’ve had in this case in a while.”
In spite of the one positive test, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel D. Brownell pushed to have Lewis placed in a residential treatment center. “The defendant tested positive eight times. The court told the defendant in December that if he tested positive he would be remanded. The only thing he’s done right is testing negative Monday -- otherwise he has not complied with one single thing Pretrial Services has requested,” Brownell told Judge Matsumoto.
“We’re not suggesting we send him to Siberia,” he said. “He clearly has a coke problem. That he’s not going into a drug treatment program simply makes no sense.”
Lewis has been much in the news recently after trying to get back into the summer camp and youth program business – in spite of owing scores of Brooklyn parents thousands of dollars worth of deposits and tuition from his failed “toxic” preschool (the Brooklyn Children’s Academy Preschool) in Boerum Hill. He also has an upcoming appearance on charges of defrauding the National Child Food Program of more than $500,000.
A recent business attempt, the “Fort Greene Day Camp,” apparently folded at the end of March after incensed parents organized to shut it down. Another entity operated by Lewis, called “Youth Connection,” is Lewis’ present source of income, according to documents produced by Lewis.
Proof of Employment
Another condition of Lewis’ bail was that he provide proof of employment to the court. Judge Matsumoto, clearly exasperated, excoriated Lewis for failing to provide the court with pay stubs as proof of employment. The bank statement Lewis did provide -- showing three deposits of roughly $405 each to his bank account in March -- “doesn’t indicate the source of the money – whether it’s employment-based or some other source,” Judge Matsumoto said.
She also questioned Lewis’ excuse that he could not show up for his random drug testing on grounds of employment.
“It appears now that you are your own employer. So why did you not show up for your drug test if you do not have to ask your boss? You sign all the papers and do the payroll. It concerns me that your pretrial supervision is experiencing ongoing difficulty.”
Kirchheimer, who asked the judge not to “rush to judgment,” assured the court that Lewis did have pay stubs from the previous quarter, and could obtain recent stubs “in the next four or five days.”
Judge Matsumoto said it was critical that Lewis abide with the requests of the pretrial officer. “The sense I get is evasions are being made. Mr. Lewis is using drugs; he had not provided documents of employment and he has a repeated history of not showing up for drug testing, using the excuse of employment.”
Nevertheless, she held out hope that Lewis’ one positive test was a good sign. “This means, for the first time, perhaps he gets it.” If Lewis can “provide the requested documentation, refrain from drug use and continue his anger management classes,” he’ll be able to address his “long-term issues.”
Parent Hemalee Patel, who is still owed money from a preschool deposit she left with Lewis last year, said, "In a way, it’s almost sad. Clearly, he could have used his intelligence for something else.”
She added, "I doubt people would put their kids in his preschool if they knew he had a substance-abuse problem."
RELATED STORIES:
Parents Launch Angry Campaign To Close Andy Lewis’ Day Camp
‘Toxic Preschool’ Boss Is Back With Summer Camp in Fort Greene
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