Twanda Carlisle

Twanda Carlisle (b. 1958-12-25) is a former Democratic [ [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07318/833598-53.stm The Rise and Fall of Twanda Carlisle ] ] member of Pittsburgh's city council. She has a high school diploma from Peabody High School.

Carlisle received much local media attention regarding her use of taxpayer funds for her own personal use.cite news| last =Lord| first =Rich| coauthors =| title =The Rise and Fall of Twanda Carlisle| work =| pages =| language =| publisher =Pittsburgh Post Gazette| date =2007-11-14| url =http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07318/833598-53.stm| accessdate =2007-12-15 ] Between 2003 and 2007, it is alleged that she improperly approved city payments to friends and relatives [cite news| last =| first =| coauthors =| title =City Council President Requests Investigation Of Twanda Carlisle| work =| pages =| language =| publisher =WPXI| date =2006-05-03| url =http://www.wpxi.com/news/9156028/detail.html| accessdate =2007-12-15 ] and used city funds for personal purchases. Among these purchases were multiple luxury items, including a $4,494 mink coat, trips to Las Vegas and Aruba, and jewelry. [cite news| last =Jones| first =LaMont| coauthors =| title =The fur flies: Pelts pop up everywhere from a city scandal to the office| work =| pages =| language =| publisher =Pittsburg Post Gazette| date =2007-11-12| url =http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07316/833077-51.stm| accessdate =2007-12-15 ]

On April 11, 2007, Carlisle was arraigned on three charges of theft by deception, three charges of criminal conspiracy, three charges of violation of Pennsylvania's state Ethics Act, five Election Code violations, and three charges of failing to file required financial disclosures.cite news| last =Lord| first =Rich| coauthors =| title =Councilwoman Carlisle charged with theft, conspiracy| work =| pages =| language =| publisher =Pittsburgh Post Gazette| date =2007-04-11| url =http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07101/776933-100.stm| accessdate =2007-12-15 ] On November 13, 2007, Carlisle resigned from her council position, and pled no contest to all 17 charges. Her sentencing will take place on February 4, 2008. She faces a maximum of 85 years in prison and $173,000 in fines.

On February 4, 2008 Carlisle was sentenced to 12 to 24 months in prison and ordered to return $43,100 to the city. [ [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08036/854766-52.stm Carlisle headed to state prison] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 5, 2008]

Citing among other factors his client's lack of a serious criminal history, Carlisle's defense attorney, Patrick Thomassey, subsequently filed a motion requesting that Ms. Carlisle be permitted to serve out her 12 to 24 month sentence on house arrest or in alternative housing rather than in prison. On February 27, 2008, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge John A. Zottola rejected Ms. Carlisle's motion, and ordered that she serve her term in a state correctional institute. Ms. Carlisle must begin serving her sentence on March 10, 2008. cite news| last =Banks| first =Gabrielle| coauthors =| title =Judge says ex-councilwoman must serve sentence in prison| work =| pages =| language =| publisher =Pittsburgh Post Gazette| date =2008-02-27| url =http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08058/860778-100.stm| accessdate =2008-02-27 ]

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