PITTSBURGH — Channel 11 Chief Investigator Rick Earle spoke with two people Friday who said that they’ve spoken with investigators from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office in connection with an ongoing probe into allegations of financial impropriety at Pittsburgh City Hall.
Earle reported on Thursday that initial charges in an ongoing investigation into municipal finances during the previous city administration are expected to be filed next week, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Earle learned Friday that the wide-ranging probe also involves a non-profit development firm accused of failing to transfer public grant funds to its designated community recipient.
The development firm was awarded $30,000 in grants from the Pittsburgh Food Justice Fund.
According to City Council legislation, the money was intended to be transferred to the Oasis Project in Homewood to fund mobile cooking and nutritional education initiatives across the North Side and East End.
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A representative for the Oasis Project told 11 Investigates that the organization never obtained the $30,000 in grant funding.
Various sources within City Hall also reported harboring concerns regarding the ultimate destination of those funds.
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As part of the inquiry, investigators from the District Attorney’s office arrived several months ago to search a Homewood location. The proprietor of the property informed 11 Investigates that the non-profit development firm had previously leased space there but had already vacated the premises prior to the search.
Investigators also questioned an individual formerly employed by the development firm earlier this year. The former employee, who resigned in under a year after claiming he was not receiving his salary, confirmed that detectives inquired about taxpayer grant funds the firm obtained during his tenure.
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On Thursday, District Attorney Zappala addressed the inquiry into municipal finances from the previous administration, stating that taxpayer money designated for public initiatives failed to reach intended recipients. Zappala described his findings as “worse than corruption” and called the misuse “disgraceful.”
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“Funds intended for seniors or children failed to reach them,” Zappala said, pointing to issues involving “children’s programs, job training and seniors. These are frauds.” He reiterated that “taxpayer funds designated for specific programs failed to reach their intended recipients.”
11 Investigates went to the last known address for the head of that development corporation, but there was no answer.
11 Investigates also called the number listed for the development corporation, but the line has been disconnected.
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