PITTSBURGH \u2014 Channel 11 Chief Investigator Rick Earle spoke with two people Friday who said that they\u2019ve spoken with investigators from the Allegheny County District Attorney\u2019s office in connection with an ongoing probe into allegations of financial impropriety at Pittsburgh City Hall.<\/p>\n
Earle reported on Thursday that initial charges in an ongoing investigation into municipal finances during the previous city administration are expected to be filed next week, according to the District Attorney\u2019s office. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Criminal charges expected next week in Pittsburgh City Hall finance investigation<\/a><\/p>\n Earle learned Friday that the wide-ranging probe also involves a non-profit development firm accused of failing to transfer public grant funds to its designated community recipient.<\/p>\n The development firm was awarded $30,000 in grants from the Pittsburgh Food Justice Fund.<\/p>\n According to City Council legislation, the money was intended to be transferred to the Oasis Project in Homewood to fund mobile cooking and nutritional education initiatives across the North Side and East End.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Search warrant served on City of Pittsburgh unsealed<\/a><\/p>\n A representative for the Oasis Project told 11 Investigates that the organization never obtained the $30,000 in grant funding.<\/p>\n Various sources within City Hall also reported harboring concerns regarding the ultimate destination of those funds.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh City Councilman denies allegations made against him in DA\u2019s search warrant<\/a><\/p>\n As part of the inquiry, investigators from the District Attorney\u2019s office arrived several months ago to search a Homewood location. The proprietor of the property informed 11 Investigates that the non-profit development firm had previously leased space there but had already vacated the premises prior to the search.<\/p>\n Investigators also questioned an individual formerly employed by the development firm earlier this year. The former employee, who resigned in under a year after claiming he was not receiving his salary, confirmed that detectives inquired about taxpayer grant funds the firm obtained during his tenure.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: City Hall search warrant whistleblower sets record straight<\/a><\/p>\n On Thursday, District Attorney Zappala addressed the inquiry into municipal finances from the previous administration, stating that taxpayer money designated for public initiatives failed to reach intended recipients. Zappala described his findings as \u201cworse than corruption\u201d and called the misuse \u201cdisgraceful.\u201d<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> DA speaks to Channel 11 for first time since search warrant on the city of Pittsburgh was unsealed<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFunds intended for seniors or children failed to reach them,\u201d Zappala said, pointing to issues involving \u201cchildren\u2019s programs, job training and seniors. These are frauds.\u201d He reiterated that \u201ctaxpayer funds designated for specific programs failed to reach their intended recipients.\u201d<\/p>\n 11 Investigates went to the last known address for the head of that development corporation, but there was no answer. <\/p>\n 11 Investigates also called the number listed for the development corporation, but the line has been disconnected.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n