A volunteer treasurer for the Chartiers Valley choral boosters is accused of quietly draining more than $18,000 from the middle school’s choral parents' account, a string of withdrawals detectives say started in 2023 and only came to light this year. Allegheny County investigators identified the treasurer as 42-year-old Valerie Kubiak and say the withdrawals were not authorized. The case is now shining an uncomfortable spotlight on how much local music programs lean on small, volunteer-run booster funds to keep the music playing.
Detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department's general investigations unit were called to Chartiers Valley Middle School in February 2026 and, after reviewing bank records, concluded the treasurer made multiple unauthorized withdrawals totaling more than $18,000, according to WTAE. Police say the money was allegedly spent on restaurants, vacations, online sports-gambling sites, and nail salons, and that Kubiak faces charges that include receiving stolen property, access device fraud, and theft by unlawful taking.
Local Boosters Fund Trips, Music And Costumes
The Chartiers Valley Choral Parents Association is one of several volunteer groups that raise money for choir trips, sheet music, and other program expenses at the district’s middle and high schools. Chartiers Valley Middle School is located at 50 Thoms Run Road in Bridgeville, according to the district’s website, and it was the middle school campus where detectives were called in to assist with the investigation.
Charges And Legal Context
Kubiak is charged with receiving stolen property, access device fraud, and theft by unlawful taking, according to police and local reporting. Investigators say the withdrawals began in 2023, as reported by WTAE. Under Pennsylvania law, access device fraud and related theft offenses are addressed in Title 18 and Chapter 39 of the state code; those statutes allow prosecutors to seek restitution and, depending on the amount and circumstances, misdemeanor or felony penalties for offenders. For statutory language and penalties, see the Pennsylvania General Assembly code online.
Not An Isolated Problem
Cases of volunteer treasurers accused of siphoning booster-club money have surfaced around the region, a pattern that has pushed some parent groups to adopt tighter financial controls. In a similar case, a McKeesport marching-band booster treasurer was charged after investigators said more than $18,000 disappeared from that booster account, coverage by WPXI shows.
Allegheny County detectives say the Chartiers Valley probe remains active; WTAE's reporting did not list an arraignment date. As of April 22, 2026, the Chartiers Valley School District's public website did not carry a statement about the investigation, and there was no public posting from the choral parents group linked on district pages.
