By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-29 20:16:17 | Updated at 2025-04-01 03:41:22
2 days ago
A Pennsylvania cop's wife stole almost $150,000 from her husband's youth softball league and splashed out on alcohol, gig tickets and shopping sprees at Sephora, prosecutors allege.
Carla O'Brien, 48, is accused of carrying out the scheme while working as the treasurer for Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association, the Post Gazette reports.
She is charged with theft, receiving stolen property, and access device fraud over the alleged $147,000 sum.
O'Brien, who is married to fourth generation Pittsburgh policeman Lieutenant Chad O'Brien, was elected to the role in 2019 but was ousted following a vote last July.
She managed the association's funds, while her husband was listed as a Head Coach for the youth sports organization, which is based in the wealthy suburb.
During her five years holding the purse strings, she used stolen money to make purchases at Wine & Spirits, TJ Maxx, Target, Nike among others as well as making almost $50,000 worth of withdrawals at ATMs, according to charges filed Thursday.
The alleged web of lies started to unravel shortly after she stepped down from her position and the incoming officers began demanding access to the accounts, according to the criminal complaint.
The mom managed to stall until September when the new treasurer threatened to go to the bank themselves which prompted O'Brien to break down and admit the theft, according to the filing.
Carla O'Brien, 48, is accused of stealing almost $150,000 from her husband's youth softball league and splashing out on alcohol , gig tickets and shopping sprees at Sephora
O'Brien, 48, is accused of carrying out the scheme while working as the treasurer for Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association
She allegedly called one of the committee members and confessed she had 'messed up big time'.
As well as purchases at the likes of Kohls and Giant Eagle, prosecutors say O'Brien also used the funds to pay off credit cards,.
She allegedly told the association's vice president that her husband was 'restrictive' with their money and had no idea about the debt.
The vice president told police that O'Brien explained she began stealing shortly after a car crash rendered her husband unable to work, the filings state.
Following the meeting she gave back $3,500 in cash, which she said was the money remaining from the association's bank accounts, investigators said.
She was charged on Thursday and released on bond.
'Judge [Matt] Rudzki arraigned my client today on the charges and granted non-monetary Bond on the allegations,' her attorney Phil DiLucente told Channel 11.
'We are hopeful to have this matter resolved sooner rather than later.'
Prosecutors say the alleged scheme came to light after O'Brien was voted out of her position and a new treasurer demanded access to the accounts
O'Brien is married to fourth generation Pittsburgh Police lieutenant Chad O'Brien
'Our organization has been, and will continue to, cooperate with law enforcement related to this matter,' Fox Chapel Area Baseball Softball Association told the Bridgeville Signal Item.
'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.'
