PITTSBURGH — 11 Investigates is looking into new questions about taxpayer money awarded to a man even after the IRS revoked his nonprofit status.
City officials said the revocation of Emmett Miles’ nonprofit status should have barred him from getting that city grant.
It’s unclear if it would have impacted the grants from the state and the county, but sources say at the very least it should have been a red flag.
Miles denied the allegations on his way to jail.
“It will all come out…It’s fake news, like your president says,” Miles said.
He is facing 29 felonies, including theft, forgery and a corrupt organization.
The executive director of Fishers of Men Development Corporation, which operated out of this building in Homewood, is accused of misappropriating nearly $300,000 in tax dollars.
According to court documents, Allegheny County gave Miles $200,000 for a job training program that never got off the ground.
The state also chipped in $50,000
The county attempted to contact Miles multiple times, but he never responded.
Last year, the county filed a complaint with the DA’s office.
The City of Pittsburgh gave Miles $30,000 from the food justice fund to use for a mobile food kitchen.
Investigators say Miles squandered the money at bars and restaurants and on lottery tickets.
11 Investigates learned that Miles received the taxpayer-funded grant money even after the IRS revoked his nonprofit status for failure to file the proper reports.
Both the county and state have declined comment, but a city spokesperson says the grants were only for nonprofits and Miles should not have gotten the money.
Miles is not the only person to receive grant money from the city and face charges.
Marty Langford, the president of the West Side Mustangs football program, is accused of operating an elaborate cocaine ring.
His program received more than $60,000 in Stop the Violence grant money from the city during the past several years.
Court documents, the feds say, show pictures of Langford in his truck receiving a cocaine delivery while at the field with kids all around.
The feds are accusing Langford of contributing to the violent drug trafficking in western PA. At this time, Langford has not been charged with any financial crimes.
New Mayor Corey O’Connor, who inherited the issue, is addressing it head-on.
“Well, you know, I think we always need oversight and make sure money is going where it’s supposed to and this – what we’re hearing – this money was supposed to go to kids and families, and it really impacts our neighborhoods, and we have to make sure money is being spent properly,” O’Connor said.
A judge denied bail for Miles, saying he is a flight risk.
He remains in the Allegheny County Jail.
Meanwhile, the DA’s investigation into city finances continues, telling 11 Investigates more arrests are imminent.
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