Couple Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Children's Trust Fund
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A local couple has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1 million from their adoptive children's trust fund.
The twins, Dylan and Olivia, were just seven years old when they witnessed their father shoot and kill their mother before killing himself.
Nine years later, their adoptive parents, 46-year-old Daniel Pompa and his wife, 44-year-old Merily Pompa, pleaded guilty to stealing $1.5 million from the twins' trust fund.
Their grandmother, Olivia Phillips, is devastated.
"Two orphaned grieving children – taking everything that their parents worked so hard for – and spending it all on themselves," she said.
The Pompas went on a wild spending spree, first buying a $1 million house in Cranberry Township, then spending $458,000 to renovate a condo at Seven Springs, donating $110,000 to Northway Christian and spending $22,000 on two home theater systems.
This is in addition to $26,000 in payments on a Mercedes Benz, $3,000 on furs, a $1,000 donation to the Santorum Victory Committee and $500 on a brass monkey toilet paper holder.
The twins are now 16. Phillips says the Pompas won't let her see the children because they blame her for their legal troubles.
She has a message for her grandchildren.
"We miss you very much," she said.
The Pompas have been ordered to serve 16 years of probation and pay restitution. They are still living in the Seven Springs condo and still have custody of the twins.
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