Authorities Have Looked Into Allegations, But There May Be No Case Against Mayor

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There has been a parade of grand jury witnesses and lots of testimony over months and months of time. The allegations have been serious.

"There have been a lot of taxpayers' dollars wasted on overtime for bodyguards just so the mayor could have a designated driver and a chauffeur while he went to bars and caroused late into the early morning hours," Bob Stewart, attorney for former bodyguard Fred Crawford, said in June.

Sources confirm authorities have looked into allegations of theft of honest services, as well as theft or bribery related to federal funds.

However, there is rumbling that nothing so far leads to criminal charges against Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

"It certainly is taking a long time and it's mirrored some of the other investigations where charges ultimately were not filed," attorney Marty Dietz said.

Dietz represents one of the mayor's bodyguards in the investigation. He has concerns about the focus of the federal government.

"They're investigating where he's going out at night, who he's with, things like his relationships with women," said Dietz. "It almost seems like they're investigating him and not investigating a crime."

For attorneys like Dietz, who has a client that testified in the case, there is concern.

"All I know is it's been a long, lengthy investigation of the mayor, and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere right now," he said.

The mayor has always stuck to the same story, and sources say it's the same today; he did nothing wrong. His car was at City Hall Friday, but he wasn't. His lawyer did not return phone calls.

The Federal Building was quiet on Friday and so was the grand jury; however, that doesn't mean the investigation into Mayor Ravenstahl is over.

Federal authorities will not comment on any of it. However, one federal authority did say this: "We are always happy to hear what folks on Grant Street think."

RELATED LINKS:
Mayor's Former Bodyguard Testifies Before Grand Jury (6/18/13)
Sources: Grand Jury Looking At 2 Federal Laws In Ravenstahl Probe (6/21/13)
More reports on this case