Eagle nest cam operator PixController accuses former staffer of creating ghost employee position
A Murrysville man who was hired to help grow the Westmoreland firm that operates two bald eagle nest cameras in Allegheny County is accused in a civil lawsuit of adding a ghost employee to the payroll, billing a government agency for services never rendered and using company cash to pay personal expenses.
When PixController uncovered the alleged misconduct in October, it terminated Rick Furnari from any role with the Murrysville-based company, according to the lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County. But Furnari retaliated after he was shown the door, deleting PixController's webcams, its website and its data cloud, the lawsuit states.
Furnari could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The attorney who previously represented him, Robert Klingensmith of Murrysville, deferred comment to a Greensburg attorney, Adam Long. Long did not return a phone call seeking comment.
According to the civil lawsuit, PixController, which specializes in outdoor wireless surveillance cameras, hired Furnari in spring 2014 to oversee its financial operations and expand its presence in new markets.
Furnari misrepresented his previous work experience and education to land the position, PixController alleges. When he started the job, he failed to mention he was still working for another employer or that he was simultaneously pursuing unemployment benefits while collecting a PixController paycheck.
In addition, the lawsuit alleges Furnari: created an “on paper” position for his wife that netted her a $34,000 salary but no duties; billed the state's Department of Conservation and Economic Development $4,000 for work his daughter's company never provided; assigned tax liabilities to Powers that had no connection to the business; used company cash to pay personal expenses; and took “from the company's inventory” $13,000 worth of parts and equipment.
When he was terminated, Furnari damaged the rear entrance door to the building; staged a “malicious attack” on PixController's webcams and its website; deleted its accounting records; blocked the company from accessing its vendor-management and credit-processing systems; forged a company-authorized signature; and physically damaged company property, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit accuses Furnari of conversion, breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of funds, fraud, unjust enrichment and action for accounting. Through its attorney, James W. Creenan of Murrysville, PixController is seeking reimbursement for its losses and an unspecified amount in punitive damages.
Furnari is not criminally charged. District Attorney John Peck said Murrysville Police and his office are investigating.
The lawsuit will not stop the two webcams, which are located along the Monongahela River in Hays and the Allegheny River in Harmar, from rolling as the two pairs of eagles enter another nesting season, according to PixController CEO Bill Powers.
“They will not be affected,” said Powers on Tuesday. “It won't be an issue.”
The live video feeds from both locations are streaming for the upcoming season. The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania works with PixController and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide the cameras.
Liz Zemba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-601-2166 or lzemba@tribweb.com.
