Police Lieutenant’s Wife Accused of Embezzling Nearly $150,000 from Youth Sports League
Carla O’Brien, a mother from Pennsylvania and the wife of a Pittsburgh Police lieutenant, is facing serious charges for allegedly stealing a substantial amount of money from the Fox Chapel Baseball Softball Association (FCABSA). Reports indicate that O’Brien, who served as the treasurer for the youth sports league, misappropriated a total of $147,408 for personal expenses at various retailers and establishments.
According to sources such as the Bridgeville Signal Item, O’Brien stands accused of committing theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, and misapplication of entrusted funds. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office formally charged the 48-year-old resident of Indiana Township in March 2025, following an investigation into the financial discrepancies at FCABSA.
The FCABSA board of directors first became aware of the alleged embezzlement in October 2024, prompting a meeting with law enforcement officials. It was during this time that O’Brien reportedly confessed to a board member about her actions, expressing remorse and acknowledging her wrongdoing. Subsequently, she was confronted by the association’s president, leading to further revelations about the extent of the missing funds.
As per reports from WPXI and other local news outlets, O’Brien tearfully disclosed that she had initially believed to have taken a much smaller sum, estimating it to be between $20,000 and $30,000. She admitted to using a portion of the money to fund undisclosed credit cards, a detail she had kept hidden from her husband. In a gesture of partial restitution, O’Brien returned just under $3,500 of the total amount she had allegedly misappropriated.
In addition to settling outstanding credit card bills, investigations revealed that O’Brien utilised the stolen funds for transactions at a range of retailers such as Sephora, Amazon, Target, TJ Maxx, Nike, and State Farm Insurance. She also spent significant amounts of money at various restaurants, pharmacies, concert venues, and pet supply stores. This misuse of funds over a period spanning several years has raised concerns about financial oversight within the youth sports organisation.
In response to the allegations, O’Brien’s legal representative, Phil DiLucente, issued a statement expressing their desire for a swift resolution to the matter. Meanwhile, the FCABSA board reassured the public of their cooperation with the authorities and emphasised their commitment to ensuring the continuity of youth baseball and softball programs for over 750 children aged 6 to 14.
The case involving Carla O’Brien underscores the importance of transparent financial practices and accountability in organisations serving the community, especially youth sports leagues. The forthcoming legal proceedings will shed further light on the extent of the alleged embezzlement and its impact on the Fox Chapel Baseball Softball Association. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation unfolds.