A local Fraternal Order of Police lodge that represents most Allegheny County police departments is implementing new safeguards to ensure money is handled properly as the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office investigates missing funds.
FOP Lodge 91 President Mike Slawianowski, a Leetsdale police sergeant, said he asked the state attorney general’s office to investigate after he discovered an undetermined amount of money was missing.
He declined to provide an estimate of how much money was missing, but pointed to reports that suggested it could be around $1 million.
“It’s a good bit of money,” Slawianowski told TribLive Friday. “It looks like it’s been going on for a few years.”
Slawianowski took over as president in April but said he became aware of “financial irregularities” late last year.
Slawianowski said he could not discuss specifics because of an ongoing investigation, but said irregularities included charges made to the lodge card that were not related to FOP business.
Those charges, he said, appear to have been made by a former FOP official, who has been suspended from his position.
The official is also a police officer. He could not be reached for comment Friday.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office declined to comment.
Slawianowski said he believes their investigation should be wrapping up soon.
In the meantime, Slawianowski said, the FOP has already implemented new procedures to ensure such misuse of lodge money can’t happen again.
Two people are now required to sign checks, rather than one. Multiple people are reviewing their financial books, the lodge has implemented annual audits and a new computer system will help lodge leaders better track finances.
“We’re getting back on our feet, and things are running properly,” Slawianowski said. “We’re getting some checks and balances so we don’t have a repeat of this.”
FOP Lodge 91 represents all police in Allegheny County, except Pittsburgh police, who have their own lodge.
