Healing Arts Initiative Bookkeeper Arrested For Embezzlement, Chemical Attack Of Executive Director

There was no clear motive involved when New York City Police began investigating the horrific August 19th, 2015 attack on Rev. D. Alexandra Dyer, the executive director of the Healing Arts Initiative.

Dyer had just left the non-profit's Long Island City office and was heading to her car when she was approached by a man who threw a cupful of chemical drain cleaner into her face. The reverend was quickly transported to Elmhurst Hospital, where she was treated for 3rd degree burns. She is recovering after multiple surgeries but has not returned to work.

The New York Times now reports that the attack was part of a cover-up of a scheme led by a former bookkeeper for the organization to embezzle more than $750,000. A 65-count indictment on the case was unsealed on Tuesday.

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Previously known as Hospital Audiences Inc., The Healing Arts Initiative, provides education programs and services to connect the arts to people who might be limited by health, age or income. The organization has about a dozen employees and handles about $5 million a year. Visit hainyc.org.