PITTSBURGH \u2014 As the leader of a nonprofit is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars, 11 Investigates has learned that the City of Pittsburgh got the money back from another organization.<\/p>\n
New Sun Rising administered the City of Pittsburgh\u2019s Food Justice Fund. <\/p>\n
The nonprofit was responsible for making sure the $1.5 million in federal funds were appropriately allocated to community groups. <\/p>\n
They say every organization that received money followed the guidelines and turned in receipts except Fishers of Men. <\/p>\n
Just last week, their executive director, Emmett Miles, was charged with 29 felonies, including theft, forgery and running a corrupt organization. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Allegheny County District Attorney\u2019s Office files charges in city finances probe<\/a><\/p>\n Investigators say Miles took $250,000 in grant money from Allegheny County and the state for job training and another $30,000 from Pittsburgh for a nutritional education program. <\/p>\n Investigators say he instead spent the money at bars, restaurants and on lottery tickets. <\/p>\n Under the terms of the agreement with the city, New Sun Rising had to pay the city back. <\/p>\n Council member Barb Warwick confirmed the city was made whole. <\/p>\n \u201cI did get an email clarifying for us that the city did, in fact, get their money back in that particular case; I think it was $30,000,\u201d Warwick said. <\/p>\n In a statement to 11 Investigates, the nonprofit said:<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, New Sun Rising is also a victim following unsuccessful attempts to collect; the deadline was reached, forcing New Sun Rising to use $30,020 of its own unrestricted funds to pay the city the amount owed by Fishers of Men.\u201d<\/p>\n While the city claims Miles should never have gotten the money because his nonprofit status had been revoked, New Sun Rising says they verified the tax-exempt status.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: IRS revoked man\u2019s nonprofit status, but taxpayer money was given to him anyway<\/a><\/p>\n Whatever happened, councilmember Warwick is praising New Sun Rising for taking responsibility. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad they stepped up and they did the right thing, and they did what they needed to do. And you know the situation is unfortunate,\u201d Warwick said.<\/p>\n 11 Investigates asked New Sun Rising if they filed a police report, and a spokesperson said they are following a progressive collections protocol suggested by their attorney and they are hopeful they\u2019ll recoup the funds. <\/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