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PITTSBURGH: Leading Episcopal Progressive Layman Charged with stealing more than $100,000
Lionel Deimel is accused of abusing power of attorney in theft from 91-year old woman and fellow Episcopalian
By David W. Virtue DD
www.virtueonline.org
June 19, 2015
A leading Episcopal liberal activist blogger and leader of the Progressive Episcopal Pittsburgh (PEP) and a vitriolic opponent of orthodox Pittsburgh Anglican Bishop Robert Duncan has been arrested and charged with stealing over $100,000 from 91-year old Jane Little a fellow Episcopalian. Both were members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon, PA and sang in the choir together.
Lionel Diemel a vigorous opponent of the Anglican Covenant and the realignment in the Anglican Communion is charged with abusing his power of attorney in stealing more than $100,000 from a 91-year-old woman. Deimel turned himself in to police Tuesday and was released on a non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing.
Police said Deimel was given POA by the woman, who lives at Asbury Heights Health Center, in December 2009. He was responsible for paying the woman's living and medical expenses.
According to a criminal complaint, an outstanding balance of more than $60,000 is due to Asbury Heights, according to local newspaper reports.
In 2014, Asbury Heights received notice from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare that the woman was denied Medicare assistance because a review of her bank records indicated that funds were being inappropriately utilized or "hidden," the complaint said. The Allegheny County Department of Aging was subsequently alerted and provided authorities with copies of the woman's bank records.
Upon review of the bank records, it was discovered that 72 checks totaling nearly $104,000 had been written payable to Deimel. Investigators said the woman said she did not give authorization to Deimel to use her money.
Investigators also uncovered credit card charges for dental work and doctor visits, veterinary hospitals and purchases from retail stores, none of which appeared to be for the woman.
Charges for gasoline were also made, according to the complaint. The woman said she had allowed Deimel to use her vehicle to take her to doctor's appointments and to run errands, but that he hadn't recently taken her anywhere.
The woman's credit card statements showed more than $17,000 in purchases and payments.
A Mt. Lebanon Police Department police report said Deimel admitted to using the woman's funds for his personal benefit because he was having financial difficulties.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25.
His blog says he is a person with "concerns for truth,beauty and justice".
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