Former councilman appeals theft conviction
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A former western Pennsylvania councilman has appealed his conviction on charges of having improperly used $50,000 from the trust fund of an elderly widow with dementia.
Sixty-year-old Charles McCullough of Upper St. Clair was sentenced in December in Allegheny County to 2½ to five years in prison on convictions of felony theft and misdemeanor misapplication of entrusted funds. He was allowed to remain free pending appeal.
Defense attorney Adam Cogan filed notice Friday that his client will appeal to Pennsylvania Superior Court. In post-sentence motions, he argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict his client, and due process was denied when he sought removal of the trial judge.
McCullough had argued at his oft-delayed trial that he had approval to use the money in 2006 and 2007.