Leader Of Pittsburgh's Delta Foundation Resigns Amid Felony Arrest Charges; Board Launches Internal Investigation
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The leader of the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh has resigned following his arrest last month on felony charges.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan reports that Gary Van Horn has turned in his resignation.
BREAKING: Gary Van Horn resigns from Delta Foundation after felony arrest. Delta hires law firm to conduct internal investigation of "activities and compliance". pic.twitter.com/rL2SFCc6cT
— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) January 13, 2020
Van Horn is facing charges of impersonating a public official and forgery.
Those charges stem from a state police investigation into Van Horn, who is accused of falsely representing himself as an Allegheny County sheriff's deputy and rigging his personal car with police lights.
He is also accused of forging Allegheny County Sheriff William Mullen's signature.
Following the filing of the charges last month, the Delta Foundation accepted Van Horn's resignation.
The foundation is now hiring a law firm to conduct an internal investigation of "activities and compliance."
The board action comes in response to questions KDKA Investigates raised about the Delta Foundation's mounting debts and questionable expenditures. They include more than $25,000 spent on food and beverages in 2017, according the non-profit's financial statements.
Under Van Horn, Delta owes money to city, county and singer Kesha. Internal audit will probe foundation finances. #KDKA #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/M8ebpucR9q
— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) January 13, 2020
Gary Van Horn received no salary but entertained and promoted Delta at the foundation's expense. His attorney, Phil DiLucente says his client requested the audit.
"He's not an employee but what he expensed was ordinary and necessary to the mission of the Delta Foundation, so we suggested they do an internal audit and unequivocally there will be no misappropriation of funds at any time," DiLucente said.
The Delta Foundation is the region's largest LBGTQ organization and is best known as the sponsor of Pittsburgh Pride -- an annual celebration on the streets of Pittsburgh in the summer.
In recent years, both Pride and Delta have racked up unpaid debts. Among other creditors, they owe singer and performer Kesha $190,000, Allegheny County $3,400 and the Sheriff's Office $12,000.
"Once he's acquitted, he will be a board member again. He has nothing but admiration and love for everyone on the board. They will welcome him back, but right now we have to deal with more pressing matters," DiLucente said.
But within the gay community, there are calls for accountability and transparency regarding Delta.
"They say they're launching an internal investigation but it just seems a little funny like when the police investigate themselves," said Amir Clemons, a gay entertainer.
