Police: Mt. Lebanon man took $153K from former Shadyside employer

A Mt. Lebanon man is accused by Allegheny County detectives of taking $153,800 over seven years from a Shadyside financial planning and advising firm where he used to work, according to court papers.

Norman Bress, 85, was arrested Wednesday on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and forgery.

Investigators said that officials from Jacobson Associates on Centre Avenue in Shadyside reported the situation in July after a staff member uncovered an issue while trying to account for a commission check from a life insurance company, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. The check had signatures that appeared to belong to the firm’s president and Bress and was deposited into Bress’ personal bank account, police said.

Account records obtained by police showed that 382 checks totaling $153,800 made out to Jacobson Associates or company officials were deposited between 2012 and Aug. 1, according to the complaint. All of the checks were endorsed by signatures that appeared to belong to the firm’s president and Bress, police said.

During an interview with detectives on Oct. 30, Bress said he worked at the firm for 25 years until retiring about eight years ago, according to police. He said he was allowed to return as a volunteer to perform some tasks, such as picking up mail that sometimes contained commission checks from insurance companies.

Bress admitted to taking “a couple checks here and there” and forging the endorsements to help fund a new relationship and pay “for the arts,” according to court papers. His attorney, Patrick Nightingale, said Bress has cooperated with investigators and plans to do whatever he can to right the situation.

“Mr. Bress has great remorse for his actions,” Nightingale said. “He will do everything he can to make resitution.”

Bress is free on nonmonetary bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 30.