PITTSBURGH — Two search warrants were served Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority’s office as an investigation continues into the agency’s former executive director Henry Sciortino.
According to a search warrant obtained by Target 11, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office seized boxes of documents containing financial records from the ICA offices Wednesday morning.
“It's very problematic. In fact, you know they're supposed to file financial reports every year, and not one report has been filed,” Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said.
Former ICA Treasurer Ann Dugan told investigators that she raised concerns about a lack of financial records years ago, but never got any answers.
"We're supposed to be the financial oversight. Our records should be pristine, and we have no financial information whatsoever,” Dugan said, according to police paperwork.
Investigators said they’re looking into financial interest statement violations, tampering with public records and obstruction of government functions as possible crimes committed.
However, in an email from Sciortino to several lawmakers that was obtained by investigators, Sciortino denied any wrongdoing.
"I have never destroyed any documents nor have I ever directed anyone else to do so. Further, as an employee of a government agency, I have fully complied with the law and filed all required annual financial interest disclosure forms,” Sciortino wrote in the email.
Investigators said his statement is not true, alleging that in an attempt to conceal an $800,000 judgment against him, Sciortino failed to file disclosure forms with the state ethics committee.
“And our position is that it was not listed because it would have indicated that maybe he was unfit to hold the position,” Zappala said.
Detectives also executed a search warrant Wednesday at the bank used by the ICA. When asked if the investigation goes deeper than just the executive director, Zappala said it doesn’t appear to.