Stealing from Non-Profits Is the Hottest New Trend

For the third time in a week, a New Yorker has been accused of illegally pocketing megabucks from a non-profit.

The Manhattan District Attorney says that Jeffrey Bernstein swindled more than $2,500,000 from the Albert Ellis Institute, a psychotherapy charity, between January 2010 and February 2011.

Bernstein, 62, worked as director of administration at the org, which offered affordable therapy to the public.

The D.A. indicted Bernstein today, claiming that he conned the group out of money by sending some 80 unauthorized wire transfers to his own business accounts.

Now, Bernstein is on the hook for one grand larceny count and two counts of money laundering. He previously got heat in civil court for his supposed spending shenanigans, and quit the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce in the thick of the cash controversy.

Thursday's misanthropy-making news breaks mere days after an administrative assistant for the Catholic archdiocese -- called an "evil church lady" -- got nabbed on charges of pocketing $1 million from her employer's coffers.

And let's not forget that just last Thursday, Robert Caballero and Gordon Jenkins were accused of siphoning more than $310,000 from low-income housing co-ops.

L'enfer, c'est les autres?

Sure looks like it, mes amis.

Follow Victoria Bekiempis @vicbekiempis.