A former treasurer of a local youth organization is accused of stealing about $147,000 from the club.
Carla O’Brien, 48, of Indiana Township is charged with theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and misapplication of trusted property.
Charges stem from an investigation by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, township police and the Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association.
O’Brien served as association treasurer from 2019-2024.
FCABSA fields about 750 children, ages 6 to 14, into 25 to 35 baseball and softball teams.
Its board members met with police last October.
Association income consists of registration fees, fundraisers and donations with funds deposited into five PNC bank accounts, according to court documents.
O’Brien managed those accounts, including depositing and writing checks, maintaining the debit cards and reconciling bank statements.
New association officers were elected last July and O’Brien was being replaced as treasurer.
Court documents state the new president and treasurer attempted to meet with O’Brien to update banking information and help familiarize themselves with the organization’s expenses.
O’Brien originally agreed to meet, but then made multiple excuses to push the meeting until September.
Court documents state O’Brien called a board member on Sept. 18 and told them she took money and “messed up big time.”
The board member told police O’Brien admitted to taking funds when she was in a rough spot and she and her husband could not work due to a vehicle accident.
The board member told the president about her conversation with O’Brien, who then spoke with the former treasurer.
The president said O’Brien was crying and very upset and admitted to stealing about $20,000 to $30,000 to pay credit cards including Sam’s Club, Synchrony and Bank of America, according to the complaint.
O’Brien told the president she had closed the PNC Bank accounts and opened a new account at First National Bank, according to the criminal complaint.
O’Brien gave the president two envelopes with money totaling nearly $3,500, left over funds from the PNC accounts, court documents read.
The association closed O’Brien’s FNB account and opened new ones.
An investigation showed O’Brien started taking money for personal use soon after she became treasurer in 2019.
Court documents state there were about $147,408 in “transactions that would not have been for the benefit of the association.”
Transactions include ATM withdraws, checks paid to O’Brien, credit card payments and purchases at various businesses including Amazon, state Wine & Spirits stores, Target, Jim Shorkey Chrysler, State Farm Insurance, Kohls, Nike, Sam’s Club, White House/Black Market, Sephora, TJMaxx, Giant Eagle, StockX Sneakers and various restaurants, pharmacies, concert venues and pet supply stores.
A preliminary hearing before District Judge Matthew Rudzki is set for April 23.
The Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association released a statement Thursday evening:
“Our organization has been, and will continue to, cooperate with law enforcement related to this matter. We respect the legal process and trust the authorities to handle the matter appropriately.
“As this process is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments and will continue to look for updates from the District Attorney’s Office.
“This situation does not impact FCABSA’s ability to provide the best youth baseball and softball experience possible.”
Messages left for O’Brien’s attorney, Phil Dilucente, Thursday afternoon were not immediately returned.