A former McKeesport police captain, Christopher Halaszynski, has been charged with siphoning more than $250,000 from the department's evidence room. According to a Post-Gazette report, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office announced the charges, which include theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
Halaszynski, 54, allegedly compromised 159 cases over four years by directing cash from evidence into his bank account, and while initially claiming financial duress following a separation from his wife sparked the thefts, he supposedly admitted that it became about greed, Halaszynski had exclusive access to the evidence room for approximately eight years, and suspicion surfaced when an audit was delayed on multiple occasions, prompting the investigation, as reported by WPXI.
In September, another McKeesport officer, detective Joseph Osinski, was also accused of stealing from his union lodge, with over $1 million in funds missing. The stacking incidents of misconduct have elicited a strong response from McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, who stated, "It is extremely disheartening that a once-trusted supervisor within this police department was capable of violating his oath to protect and serve by participating in the activities that have been alleged," WPXI reported.
Despite the theft, experts, such as Pitt criminal law professor David Harris, suggest that not all cases will be tainted. However, some defense attorneys might argue this point. Despite efforts to implement a new system recommended by experts to modernize evidence logs and install checks and balances, this situation is where protocol and trust in law enforcement are challenged. Harris also said, "There could be a few cases where defense attorneys will make an argument that it affected the outcome of the case." "I would expect to see some arguments like that," CBS News Pittsburgh quoted.
Halaszynski's formal arraignment is set for April 29. The community and legal system will evaluate the $250,000 loss, the damage to criminal cases, and the loss of trust in the department caused by one of their own.
