Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrest of a McKeesport detective and former Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) financial officer, on charges related to the theft of more than $1 million from his union lodge.
Joseph Osinski, 55, is charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, access device fraud, misapplication of entrusted property, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity, and receiving stolen property, on allegations that he used his position to transfer funds and use the lodge’s bank accounts/cards for his own purposes. Osinski’s bail was set at $50,000 unsecured and he is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Oct. 9.
“This defendant was not only a trusted member of law enforcement in his community, he was trusted by his peers and colleagues to handle their dues money in support of the FOP mission,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “His abuse of that trust left his fellow officers struggling to keep their lodge afloat and damaged the public’s trust in those working to protect them. These charges serve as a reminder that we will seek justice from those who harm our communities, regardless of job or position.”
Osinski, the financial secretary of FOP Lodge 91 from 2020 to April 2024, was one of three people with access to the lodge’s bank account and he assisted with treasurer duties for the lodge.
In January 2024, FOP board members received an anonymous letter that questioned the financial status of the lodge. Prior to that, other ranking members observed that there were purchases of alcohol, hotels and more, on a lodge credit card that did not appear to be for the benefit of the lodge.
The Office of Attorney General investigation found that Osinski misappropriated $1,041,680 from the lodge between March 2019 and April 2024. When he received checks made payable to the lodge, he allegedly deposited them into accounts he opened in the name of the FOP at a separate financial institution, but for which he was the sole owner and authorized user.
He also allegedly used the lodge’s credit card and official bank accounts for personal use without fellow members’ knowledge, a theft of more than $24,000. In all, the alleged theft totaled $1,067,057.82.
Among the unaccounted for funds were checks written to the lodge intended as contributions to a separate memorial fund for an officer who died in the line of duty. Instead of putting the checks in the memorial fund, Osinski put the money into the bank accounts he created in the lodge’s name.
The case was investigated by Special Agent Jessica Von Voight and will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Alex Cashman. All charges are accusations. The defendant is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Original source can be found here.