Heinz Endowments IT Manager, Charles Richardson, Swindled $1M Through Shell Corp

A former IT manager for the Pittsburgh-based philanthropic foundation The Heinz Endowments, Charles A. Richardson, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been charged with swindling nearly $1 million from his employer using a shell corporation and fake invoices.

Richardson was hit with a nine-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, according to a statement from Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.

According to the indictment, Richardson embezzled the funds between 2016 and 2024. He allegedly used a shell corporation he controlled to submit fake invoices to the foundation for work not performed or performed by other vendors.

The indictment includes charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain associated with the offense, or both.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.

An indictment is an accusation. Richardson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Heinz Endowments is a Pittsburgh-based philanthropic organization that provides grants and support to various causes in Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Richardson’s alleged crimes are a betrayal of the trust placed in him as an IT manager and a reminder of the importance of accountability in the non-profit sector.