Criminal charge dropped against treasurer of Allegheny County political action committee

PITTSBURGH — An Allegheny County judge withdrew a criminal charge against the treasurer of a political action committee with ties to Pittsburgh’s mayor-elect.

“Leeretta, what do you wanna say about charges being withdrawn in the case?”

Leeretta Payne had nothing to say to our Channel 11 camera following her preliminary hearing Tuesday.

She appeared in Pittsburgh City Court where a judge withdrew her single misdemeanor count of improperly reporting candidate and political committees.

Her defense attorney Frank Walker applauded the move.

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“I think the District Attorney’s office took a different look at it. Detectives took a look at it and found out that reports were filed,” said Frank Walker, Payne’s defense attorney.

Allegheny County police previously charged Payne with failing to properly document tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to the political action committee “African Americans for Good Government.”

Payne was the treasurer of the committee, which had received contributions from City of Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey.

Gainey was never named in the criminal complaint.

We asked if he had anything to do with the dismissal.

“I don’t know if there was influence because of the Mayor-elect Ed Gainey. I have no idea.”

Police initially alleged Payne violated the election code.

That code requires the committee’s treasurer to file reports for any amount of money over $250.

Defense attorney Walker called the entire situation a mix-up that unnecessarily caused stress and anguish to Payne.

“The reports were filed. They were amended. They were filed appropriately, and we’re here today and they made the right decision.”

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office released the statement following the hearing today: “The charge was filed because she had failed to properly submit the documentation concerning the finances for her organization. At today’s preliminary hearing, she provided proof that the proper forms and documentation had been filed and as a result there was no need to proceed with the case.”

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