Closing arguments expected in trial of ex-county councilman
It’s not unusual for political candidates to receive campaign donations from people they don’t know or who don’t live in their district, Allegheny County Councilman Edward Kress testified Monday morning in the criminal trial of Charles P. McCullough.
Mr. McCullough, a former county councilman, was charged in 2009 with improperly using more than $150,000 of Shirley H. Jordan’s $14 million. Among disputed funds were checks written on Ms. Jordan’s behalf to Republican candidates when Mr. McCullough was serving as the widow’s power of attorney and cotrustee of her trust fund in 2006 and 2007.
Mr. Kress said that when he ran for his council seat, Richard Mellon Scaife made two $5,000 contributions — although the two had never met and the late billionaire didn’t live in District 3, which encompasses Fox Chapel and Shaler.
Defense attorney Jon Pushinsky set up Mr. Kress’ testimony by saying that campaign contributions can serve donors’ interests even if they don’t know a candidate or live in that candidate’s district.
Prosecutors also contend Mr. McCullough, 60, of Upper St. Clair, made several requests to PNC Bank, seeking to use Ms. Jordan’s money to hire his sister as her companion; to donate $10,000 to Catholic Charities, which at the time was run by his wife; and to pay his young son to mow the woman’s yard. Ms. Jordan has since died.
Mr. McCullough’s nonjury trial began in April and has continued piecemeal since then.
Proceedings Monday morning lasted about an hour and will continue Thursday, when the defense will present its final witness. Senior Judge Lester G. Nauhaus of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court said he expects to hear closing arguments that day.
In June, prosecutors rested their case, and Judge Nauhaus acquitted Mr. McCullough of two counts of misapplication of entrusted property, theft by unlawful taking and criminal conspiracy. He still faces 20 more charges.
The judge also acquitted Mr. McCullough’s sister, Kathleen McCullough, 52, of theft by unlawful taking and criminal conspiracy, the only charges she faced.