Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala says investigators are searching for a suspect expected to face 29 felony charges, including theft and conspiracy.
The planned arrest marks the first in an ongoing investigation into Pittsburgh City Hall finances under former Mayor Ed Gainey.
The upcoming charges involve a non-profit organization operated out of a building in Homewood. Sources told Channel 11 News that the organization received more than $300,000 in taxpayer grant money from the state, Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh for community programs, but the funds were never delivered to those initiatives.
Zappala discussed the ongoing probe during an appearance on a KDKA radio show, raising concerns about the handling of public funds intended for community assistance.
“What bothers me the most is the hypocrisy of all this stuff because these are really good programs that government was trying to advance,” Zappala said. “You know, helping children and job training and housing and stuff like that, adn just the way the money was spent is just incredible.”
Zappala indicated that the investigation into city finances under the Gainey administration extends beyond the single suspect currently facing charges. Describing the findings of the inquiry, Zappala pointed to broader concerns within city oversight.
“Once you start drawing the lines between the dots, it’s kind of...It’s scary what’s going on,” Zappala said.
Former Mayor Gainey has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to the investigation into city finances.
Channel 11 News reporter Rick Earle reported last Friday that the DA planned to file the first charges sometime this week.
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