Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 8:29PM |  46°
MENU
Advertisement
Charles P. McCullough
1
MORE

Verdict expected in trial of former County Councilman Charles McCullough

Verdict expected in trial of former County Councilman Charles McCullough

If a former Allegheny County councilman believed he had permission to spend an elderly widow’s money, he may not have committed theft, a judge said Thursday during the man’s trial.

That judge is expected to render a verdict this morning in the nonjury trial of Charles P. McCullough, 60, of Upper St. Clair.

He is accused of stealing from Shirley H. Jordan, who was worth $14 million and suffered from dementia, when he served as her power of attorney and a co-trustee of her trust fund in 2006 and 2007.

Advertisement

Among funds in dispute were $40,000 in contributions to local Republican candidates and a $10,000 donation made to Catholic Charities.

Charles P. McCullough
Lexi Belculfine
Ex-Allegheny County councilman McCullough found guilty in theft case

“If he believes he’s allowed to do that, I don’t think there’s a specific intent to steal,” said Senior Judge Lester G. Nauhaus of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Cutting checks to candidates wasn’t prohibited by the power of attorney document or the 1996 trust that Mr. McCullough oversaw, defense attorney Jon Pushinsky said during his closing argument Thursday morning. But assistant district attorney John Fitzgerald countered that once Mr. McCullough became involved, her interests became “alarmingly aligned” with his.

And although Mr. Pushinsky said that making a charitable contribution was in Ms. Jordan’s interest, Mr. Fitzgerald said testimony showed she had never made such a large contribution or any donation to Catholic Charities, which Mr. McCullough’s wife ran at the time.

Advertisement

The trial of Mr. McCullough, who was charged in 2009, began in April and has continued intermittently since then.

Prosecutors rested their case in June, and the defense presented its final witness Thursday.

Mr. McCullough was acquitted of crimes including felony theft and conspiracy in June, and Judge Nauhaus also acquitted Mr. McCullough’s sister, Kathleen McCullough, 52, of theft by unlawful taking and criminal conspiracy, the only charges she faced.

Mr. McCullough’s case languished for years with postponements and questions about jurisdiction.

Ms. Jordan died in 2010.

First Published: July 31, 2015, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
The Acrisure Stadium is depicted by a drone on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in the North Shore.
1
sports
Steelers dealt low marks again on NFL player report card
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott holds the ball after recovering a fumble by Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
2
sports
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 02.26.25
Mississippi's JJ Pegues, right, runs past a Mississippi State defender into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Miss.
3
sports
Meet J.J. Pegues, the most interesting prospect in this year’s NFL draft and possible Steelers target
The two Franks worked with pizza legends Chris Bianco and Chad Robertson to perfect their craft.
4
life
A beloved pizzeria is expanding beyond Brooklyn. First stop, Mt. Lebanon.
Chartiers Valley Superintendent Daniel Castagna speaks at a board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
5
news
Chartiers Valley school board votes to cut staff positions amid $9 million budget deficit
Charles P. McCullough
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story