Crime & Safety
District Attorney's Office Serves Search Warrant in PBAA Investigation
District Attorney spokesman Mike Manko tells the Plum-Oakmont Patch that a search warrant was served without incident to Richard Claypoole and his business, Richmar Sporting Goods.
On Thursday, a search warrant was served to Richard Claypoole and Richmar Sporting Goods, a business owned by Claypoole, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Plum Borough Athletic Association's billings, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney's office.
The district attorney's office issued this statement: "This morning, we served Dick Claypoole with a search warrant in connection with the ongoing investigation involving the PBAA. The warrant was served without incident and Mr. Claypoole was cooperative with our investigator."
According to the Allegheny County search warrant, "any and all Richmar business records, including but not limited to billings made to the Plum Borough Athletic Association, contracts with vendors of Richmar, invoices and/or purchase orders with third party vendors of Richmar..." were included in the document.
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Claypoole, president of the PBAA, is accused of making $213,594.74 worth of payments to himself and his business, Richmar—the company provides equipment to the PBAA and is operated out of Claypoole's home—with PBAA funds between 2008 and 2011. Payments to Richmar totaled $89,248, according to the search warrant.
Claypoole is said to have purchased items for the PBAA from vendors at a lower price and then increasing the price to benefit himself.
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The DA also is investigating allegations that the association has underreported income to the Internal Revenue Service. The investigation has been ongoing since April 2011.
The PBAA is on the verge of losing its field rights in the borough. Plum Borough Council has notified the association that it would be terminating its lease come Nov. 30.
In September, council had attempted to terminate the lease agreement , however, the . When they couldn't, the termination notice was sent again.The athletic association has leased eight ballfields along Ross Hollow Road for $1 a year.
The PBAA has filed an injunction, and a hearing is scheduled in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court on Nov. 21.
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