Former State Official Accused of Embezzling Funds to Fuel Gambling Habit

A former member of the state attorney general’s narcotics division in Westmoreland County has been accused of misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars to support her gambling habit. Allegedly, 61-year-old Brenda Sawyer, took $122,000 from funds earmarked for undercover narcotics operations, along with an additional $52,000 from the McKeesport branch of the NAACP, where she was president. Investigators revealed that Sawyer’s 2023 tax records indicate more than $700,000 in slot machine transactions at Rivers Casino.

In addition to her previous role, Sawyer was appointed as the head of security for the McKeesport Area School District earlier this year. She was arrested on Thursday, and the district has since taken action. District Solicitor Gary Matta explained the process of the investigation.

“Upon the District finding out yesterday that she was charged in some offenses, again none of them dealing with the district. We, however, placed her on a paid leave of absence.”

Matta also noted that further consequences could result from an upcoming hearing.

“And we will be scheduling a … hearing for her next week and then the board will consider how to move forward from that position,” Matta said.

Sawyer’s employment with the district remains in jeopardy as the legal proceedings continue.