Stealing greater than bases.
A Pennsylvania cop’s spouse is accused of pocketing almost $150,000 from a youth sports activities program – after which blowing the money on live shows and lavish procuring sprees – whereas serving because the league’s treasurer, in line with experiences.
Carla O’Brien, 48, was booked Thursday for stealing $147,400 from the Fox Chapel Space Baseball Softball Affiliation for private use whereas she oversaw the membership’s funds over a five-year interval between 2019 and 2024, in line with the Allegheny County District Lawyer’s Workplace, retailers reported.
The Indiana Township resident is married to a Pittsburgh police lieutenant, sources instructed WPXI.
“Our organization has been, and will continue to, cooperate with law enforcement related to this matter,” Fox Chapel Space Baseball Softball Affiliation, which handles about 750 youngsters throughout almost three dozen groups, instructed the Bridgeville Sign Merchandise.
“We respect the legal process and trust authorities to handle the matter appropriately. As this process is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments and will continue to look for updates from the District Attorney’s Office.”
The alleged thief began pilfering the youth league’s cash shortly after she was elected to her place in early 2019 – with O’Brien’s scheme uncovered when she was ousted from the position final July and changed with a brand new treasurer, in line with the legal grievance, obtained by native retailers.
Prosecutors mentioned the group’s board of administrators grew to become suspicious when O’Brien repeatedly failed to satisfy together with her alternative to show over the monetary accounts, ensuing within the new treasurer threatening to go to the financial institution to type out the league’s affairs.
O’Brien then allegedly confessed to affiliation members final September that she began stealing the cash after a automotive accident put her and her husband out of labor, claiming she was “in a rough spot,” in line with the submitting.
The alleged poacher turned over almost $3,500 of the remaining stolen funds from the league’s accounts.
Prosecutors mentioned the fraudster squandered the cash at a number of retailers, together with Sephora, Amazon, Kohls, Nike, White Home/Black Market, TJ Maxx, Sam’s Membership, and Goal, with varied funds made to eating places, pharmacies, live performance venues, liquor shops, an insurance coverage firm and pet provide retailers.
O’Brien additionally used the funds to repay bank cards, court docket paperwork present.
She was charged with theft by illegal taking, misapplication of entrusted property, receiving stolen property and entry gadget fraud, a number of retailers reported.
“Judge [Matt] Rudzki arraigned my client today on the charges and granted non-monetary Bond on the allegations,” Obrien’s lawyer, Phil DiLucente, instructed WPXI.
“We are hopeful to have this matter resolved sooner rather than later.”
O’Brien is due again in court docket on April 23.
