PITTSBURGH (AP) - Two former Pennsylvania constables have been charged with filing nearly 700 fraudulent invoices and stealing over $130,000.
Prosecutors in Allegheny County say that Anthony Cioppa Jr., 48, made nearly $76,000 and that Steven Wright, 46, made over $56,000 by cheating the system.
The county district attorney’s office filed charges of conspiracy and theft by deception Friday against Cioppa and Wright for allegedly filing 673 fraudulent invoices and stealing over $132,000, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
The county controller’s office audited Cioppa’s payment vouchers after he was charged with illegally intervening in a child custody dispute, office spokesman Louis Takacs said.
Cioppa faces additional charges of receiving an $11,000 payment for services he did not render.
Ryan Tutera, Cioppa’s attorney, declined to comment Tuesday and said he was evaluating whether a conflict of interest will prevent further representation. Officials could not confirm whether Wright has an attorney to speak for him.
Constables are elected or appointed to perform services including security, transportation of prisoners, or to serve warrants and subpoenas.
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