WJPA News

A former Washington County attorney has been charged with embezzling more than $1.3 million from the organization that operates the Duquesne Incline.  Fifty-three-year-old Christopher Furman, now of Pittsburgh, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.  The ten-county indictment alleges that Furman transferred money to his bank account from that of the Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline.  The DOJ says Furman made 25 different transactions between October 2024 and September 2025 and he allegedly put the money in an online cryptocurrency exchange and digital asset management platform, where he traded cryptocurrency for himself.  According to the indictment, this happened while Furman was president of the Society’s board.  Furman was selected for that position because he used to work for the incline and knew how its mechanics worked, the DOJ says.  While the board president, Furman was not allowed to look at the Society’s bank account or use its money for personal reasons, the DOJ says.  Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 or double the gain from the alleged illegal activity.  Each count of money laundering carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or the same monetary penalty.

Washington County Commissioners, in a 2-1 have approved a $1.1 million dollar change order in connection with the P25 emergency radio system. At issue is a change order from Motorola Solutions, Inc. saying the money is necessary to deliver, build and outfit three support buildings for antenna sites for the new radio system. Commissioner Nick Sherman says that $5 million was put aside in the original contract that allows commissioners to outsource some of the project to local contractors. This is a part of that provision. The money is not covered by that $5 million as the payment for the change order will be coming from the county’s general operating fund. Commissioner Larry Maggi voted against the measure. He is concerned that the cost of the project keeps escalating. He says that he does not recall the provision of the holdback of $5 million. His view is to use that $5 million for the change order and leave the taxpayer money alone. The original contract was for $24.4 million. The contract now, with this change order stands at $26,380,072.73.

A local teacher is facing several charges, including attempted sexual assault, for offenses against a high school student. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said charges were filed against 50-year-old Martin Clement Gatti, who taught at the Laurel Highlands School District. He faces charges of attempted sexual assault, unlawful contact with minors and corruption of minors. The DA’s office said these crimes were committed against a high school student. The School District immediately placed Gatti on leave and removed him from his position upon learning about the allegations against him. According to a criminal complaint, a victim told State Police that Gatti asked the victim to come to his classroom on January 9th, even though the victim did not have any classes with Gatti. Police said Gatti made several suggestive comments to the student. Police said they were provided with an audio recording of the conversation.

Thousands of TSA and other federal workers with the Department of Homeland Security have been affected by the partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February. More TSA workers are quitting or calling out sick, resulting in hours-long waits through security checkpoints for flyers in major airports. The latest numbers show TSA call-outs for Pittsburgh at 30 percent, Pittsburgh International Airport officials told our news partners at Channel 11 those numbers vary by the day and that the impact on security checkpoint lines has been minimal. Airport officials say they are utilizing operations teams and volunteer ambassadors to keep the lines moving. The airport has also teamed up with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, offering a food pantry for local TSA agents, as well as Customs and Border Patrol officers. “Obviously, they are going without paychecks, so we want to do everything we can to support them,” said Bob Kerlik, director of public affairs for Pittsburgh International Airport. Thursday morning, 250 boxes of fresh produce, as well as non-perishables, were delivered to the airport from the Food Bank around 7 a.m. The Food Bank said help will be provided as long as it is needed.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s war with Israel has spread across the Gulf and hit key energy sites, raising fresh fears about global oil supplies. On Friday, Kuwait said Iranian drones struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in two waves and sparked a fire. Dubai reported heavy explosions as air defenses intercept incoming fire. Bahrain says shrapnel from an intercepted projectile set a warehouse ablaze. Saudi Arabia reported shooting down drones. Israel says it started new strikes on Iran, and people in Israel heard sirens. Residents of Tehran reported explosions during Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Oil prices surged, and Iran tightened pressure on shipping through Hormuz.

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares have been mostly lower following losses on Wall Street, and oil prices have pared earlier gains on the intensifying Iran war, falling back to around $108 per barrel after briefly surging to about $119 a barrel on Thursday. U.S. futures are higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 is closed on Friday on a holiday. The war in Iran, which is in its third week, has sent oil and gas prices soaring and is fueling global inflation worries. On Thursday, the S&P 500 was down 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%. The Nasdaq composite lost 0.3%. Gold and silver prices gained, recovering from earlier losses.

With U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks on hold due to the war in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to try to expand his military gains via new offensives against his southern neighbor that will put even more pressure on Kyiv. Windfall revenues from surging global oil prices are filling Moscow’s war coffers and U.S. air defense assets are being drained quickly by Iranian attacks across the Gulf, leaving little available for Ukraine in the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) EU loan to cover Kyiv’s military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off a portion of its student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. It’s a first step toward shedding management of all student loans as Trump administration officials dismantle the federal education agency. Under an agreement announced Thursday, the Treasury Department will take over management of student loans whose borrowers are in default, meaning they are months behind on payments. Those loans add up to about $180 billion, or 11% of the government’s $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. A second phase with no timeframe says Treasury will “assume operational responsibility” over non-defaulted loans, “to the extent practicable.”

The martial arts grandmaster and action star Chuck Norris has died. His roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy, sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents. He was 86. Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.” They didn’t release details about his death. Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. His toughman image became the stuff of legend, sparking “Chuck Norris Facts” memes. He was also outspoken about his Christian beliefs and his support for gun rights, and backed political candidates for years.