A Pittsburgh attorney, Christopher Furman, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 19 on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Furman, age 53, is accused of embezzling more than $1.3 million from the Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline while serving as president of its board of trustees. The case highlights concerns about financial oversight in nonprofit organizations and the responsibilities held by those in leadership positions.
According to the indictment, Furman became president of the board in 2020 due to his previous employment with the incline and his legal background. Despite this role, he was not authorized to access or use the society’s funds for personal purposes. The indictment alleges that between October 2024 and September 2025, Furman transferred approximately $1,379,300 from the society’s bank accounts into his own through more than 25 electronic transactions. He then allegedly moved these funds to an online cryptocurrency exchange and digital asset management platform for personal profit.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine that could reach $250,000 or twice the gross gain. Money laundering charges carry up to 10 years per count with similar fines. Sentencing would depend on federal guidelines considering offense severity and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to Furman's indictment.
The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized that "an indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
