:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Shopping-story-120324-tout-5b9af3512f6040f498bf1087c367b505.jpg?ssl=1 "Police Lieutenant’s Spouse Allegedly Stole Practically 0,000 from Youth Sports activities League")
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A lady allegedly stole nearly $150,000 from a youth sports activities league and used the funds at varied retailers, pharmacies and extra locations.
Carla O’Brien, a Pennsylvania mom and spouse of a Pittsburgh Police lieutenant, is accused of stealing $147,408 from the Fox Chapel Baseball Softball Affiliation (FCABSA) for private use throughout her time as treasurer, in response to the Bridgeville Sign Merchandise and different space shops.
On Thursday, March 27, the Allegheny County District Legal professional’s Workplace charged the Indiana Township resident, 48, with theft, receiving stolen property, entry gadget fraud and misapplication of entrusted property, per court docket information considered by PEOPLE.
The FCABSA board of administrators met with police in regards to the alleged theft in October 2024, in response to Pittsburgh outlet WPXI. The assembly got here shortly after O’Brien allegedly admitted to board member that she took the cash and “tousled huge time” in September 2024, per the outlet. The member subsequently reported her to the president, who confronted her.
In response to police, O’Brien tearfully instructed the FCABSA president she thought she had taken a far decrease sum ($20,000 to $30,000, she estimated) and used a few of it to pay for secret bank cards, which she stored secret from her husband, in response to studies from WPXI, The Bridgeville Sign Merchandise and The Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette.
On the time, she additionally returned just below $3,500 of the greater than $147,000 she allegedly pocketed, WPXI reported.
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Police mentioned that along with paying off bank cards, O’Brien — who first assumed her position as FCABSA treasurer in 2019 — additionally used the stolen funds to make funds at retailers together with Sephora, Amazon, Goal, TJ Maxx, State Farm Insurance coverage, Kohls, Nike and extra, WPXI reported.
She additionally spent the cash at different eating places, pharmacies, live performance venues and pet provide tales, per the outlet.
In an announcement obtained by WPXI and The Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette, O’Brien’s lawyer, Phil DiLucente, mentioned, “We’re hopeful to have this matter resolved sooner quite than later.”
The Allegheny County District Legal professional’s Workplace didn’t reply to PEOPLE’s request for touch upon March 30, nor did DiLucente.
Addressing the alleged theft in an announcement to PEOPLE, the FCABSA board mentioned, “Our group has been, and can proceed to, cooperate with legislation enforcement associated to this matter. We respect the authorized course of and belief the authorities to deal with the matter appropriately. As this course of is ongoing, we’re unable to offer additional feedback and can proceed to search for updates from the District Legal professional’s Workplace.”
The board additionally added that “this example doesn’t affect FCABSA’s potential to offer the most effective youth baseball and softball expertise potential.”
About 750 kids, ages 6 to 14, play on FCABSA baseball and softball groups, in response to figures reported by WPXI and The Bridgeville Sign Merchandise.
O’Brien was launched following her expenses. A preliminary listening to is ready for April 23.
