Consumer Affairs CFO lost job after lying about degree for six years

A CFO at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs has lost her job after lying about her qualifications.

Lilianna Gekhtin was hired as a temporary Associate Staff Analyst in 2009. She submitted personnel forms as a part of the hiring process. Those forms stated that her Ukrainian college diploma was equivalent to a bachelor degree.

She was promoted to deputy CFO in 2011. The Department of Investigation conducted a background check on her as a part of the promotion process.

The review uncovered that the diploma was only equivalent to a high school diploma with two years of undergraduate studies.