Penn Hills school board member, facing drug charges, resigns
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Penn Hills school board Monday night unanimously accepted the resignation of a board member who has been charged with possession of cocaine, heroin and hydrocodone.
Donald Kuhn Jr., who has served on the school board since 2015, resigned Friday.
Police records show Mr. Kuhn was arrested on a bench warrant March 23 by an Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy. He was taken to the Dormont Municipal Building, where grand jury hearings are conducted, and was searched. The deputy discovered various bags and coin pouches containing heroin and cocaine residue, a straw containing cocaine residue and an breath-mint tin containing a hydrocodone pill. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office is currently investigating the Penn Hills School District over mismanaged funds, but the sheriff’s office would not comment Monday about the reason for the bench warrant.
Mr. Kuhn, 55, was charged April 17 with three misdemeanor counts of possession and two misdemeanor counts of prohibited acts, according to a criminal complaint. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 31.
On the complaint, Mr. Kuhn’s address is listed as that of his mother, Penn Hills Mayor Sara J. Kuhn.
School board members have 30 days to fill Mr. Kuhn’s seat, which is up for election in 2019. Superintendent Nancy Hines said letters from candidates will be accepted until May, 5th. No board member commented Monday night on Mr. Kuhn's resignation or pending charges.
Former Penn Hills school board member Carolyn L. Faggioli filed a restraining order against Mr. Kuhn last week after he allegedly called and texted her multiple times, threatening to “get her.” According to the protection from abuse filing April 12, the pair were engaged in a romantic relationship. Ms. Faggioli said Mr. Kuhn sent her multiple messages on April 8 threatening her sexually, and she said she spotted him in her neighborhood.
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office investigation began after a state audit released last May showed the district had a deficit of more than $18.8 million. Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale cited a “total breakdown” in oversight and management and called the audit findings one of the worst of his tenure. The DA’s office is determining whether criminal charges should be filed.