Pittsburgh Fundraising Problem Update

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting a little more on the donations that were made by an attorney for a local woman who has moderate dementia. These donations went beyond four $10,000 donations to local Republican candidates. Significant sums also went to local charities, including Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh. The Trib is reporting Catholic Charities is returning their gift to the estate. There are a couple of more details about what is going on:

"Charles McCullough, a Downtown attorney who's running May 15 for Allegheny County Council's Republican at-large seat, helps administer that trust. McCullough's wife, Patricia Ann, heads the charity.

McCullough also is involved in a nonprofit charitable foundation created last year in Jordan's and her late husband's names....

Mr. McCullough is thoroughly tied up into Mrs. Jordan's finances and since he has power of attorney, he has control over where most of the money can go. Interesting, especially when we remember that one of the board members for the foundation that he is involved with received a $10,000 political donation.

County Council members Vince Gastgeb, Jan Rea and Susan Caldwell.

Gastgeb and Rea have returned the money. Caldwell has said she also planned to return the donation. All three said McCullough did not tell them Jordan suffers from dementia. Allen has not returned calls seeking comment.

I wonder why Judge Allen, the board member referenced above, is not returning phone calls. This just sounds odd. Most people who are marginally connected with Mr. McCullough and the foundation also believe that this sounds odd and are running from the hint of impropriety.

"(McCullough) has been a long-time friend but, when I heard about these contributions, I was uncomfortable with what had happened, and I resigned from the foundation," said Roddey, a Republican.

Roddey said he returned the $1,000 stipend he was paid for attending a foundation board meeting last year. Gastgeb, another member of the foundation's board, said he also plans to return his $1,000 stipend.