Where The Rivers Meet

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has imposed a three-year consent suspension of an attorney for misconduct as the elected treasurer of the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The organization held approximately $500,000 in an investment account and had “minimal” expenses.

A former Regent of the organization received a report that the account was being depleted. She discovered numerous checks “written by and payable to Respondent.”

A police investigation led to Respondent’s arrest and criminal charges.

She pled guilty to misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions and a second degree misdemeanor. 

Probation was imposed.

Our prior coverage is linked here quoting a post from Trib Live

The Fort Pitt Society was created in 1892 to accept donations to preserve the Fort Pitt Block House, which is the only remaining part of Fort Pitt. The Society is comprised of members of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Built in 1764, the building was first used to defend the fort from attacks by Native Americans during the mid-18th century, according to the organization.

After the British abandoned Fort Pitt in 1772, the blockhouse was used as a trading post and eve for a number of years The 250th anniversary of the blockhouse was celebrated in 2014.

The organization’s officials became suspicious in January after a representative from the company managing its four investment accounts, which totaled about $500,000, warned them that if spending continued at the pace it had during the previous two years the money would be gone, according to a criminal complaint.

The Fort Pitt Society’s revenue comes from grants, donations, fundraisers and the profits from souvenirs sold at the blockhouse, investigators said.

(Mike Frisch)