Man Faces Felony Charges for Failing to Disburse Police Charity Funds

| February 15, 2018

HandcuffsOIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – A management firm owner is facing felony charges for failure to make required disbursements for a police charity event that he organized in Oil City.

According to court documents, the Oil Police Department filed criminal charges against 33-year-old Thomas John Burke, of Mars, Pa.

According to a criminal complaint, Thomas John Burke, owner and operator of OD5K (Officers Down 5K), was contracted to provide services as an exclusive event planner for the Officers Down 5k Run-Walk, held in Oil City on June 17, 2017.

Burke was to receive a percentage of the event proceeds which totaled $13,365.50. The City of Oil City was to receive 20% of the total proceeds collected, with the agreed upon amount being $2,339.50.

Burke collected the proceeds as part of his services and was to oversee the distribution of the funds. As part of the allocation process, Burke provided Officer Deloe, an agent on behalf of Oil City, a distribution schedule via his attorney. This schedule indicated an initial, immediate payment in the amount of $250.00 on or around October 5, 2017. Three additional payments in the same amount were to be made on November and December 28, 2017, and January 28, 2018. A final payment in the amount of $1,339.50 was to be received by the city on February 1, 2018.

One check was disbursed, but not cashed, dated October 28, 2017. Burke made no subsequent payments or attempts to make payments thereafter, the complaint states.

Burke’s attorney provided a breakdown of revenues and expenditures in an email dated October 9, 2017, on behalf of Burke. One of the expenditures itemized in the breakdown was “Timing” in the amount of $1041.00.

Officer Deloe had a conversation with the owner of “Miles of Smiles Timing Services” on September 27, 2017. During their conversation, Officer Deloe learned that Burke never paid for the timing services rendered. the company supplied Burke a bill due statement, indicating a balance of $400.00.

According to the complaint, based on documentation and statements by victims and by Burke, it is believed that Burke falsely stated the costs he paid for timing services, billing the city for an additional $641.00. To date, “Miles of Smiles Timing Services” has not been compensated for their services rendered.

Burke was arraigned at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on Theft By Failure To Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, a third-degree felony.

He is currently free on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 21, at Venango County Central Court.


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