Greensburg aunt jailed for taking donated toys

In the days after a fire that left Gina Martin and her five children homeless, the community responded by giving gifts of games and toys to replace what was lost in the blaze.

The children never saw any of the toys, though, as many were sold on the Internet or just given away by Martin's aunt, police said.

Denise Ann Gagliardi, 53, of Greensburg was sentenced on Thursday to serve six to 23 months in jail for stealing the toys from Martin's children.

“Your niece's family was in need, and the citizens of Westmoreland County were extremely generous when you reached out. The response was overwhelming and you chose to sell or give it away,” said Judge Rita Hathaway. “This is outrageous.”

Gagliardi pleaded to receive a sentence that did not send her to jail and became distraught as sheriff deputies led her from the courtroom.

“You can all burn in hell,” Gagliardi screamed in the direction of her family members and the judge as she was taken away.

In December, Hathaway convicted Gagliardi of two felony theft charges during a nonjury trial.

According to court records, Martin's Unity home was destroyed by fire on Aug. 25, 2012.

“I lost everything in the fire and we never received anything (from Gagliardi),” Martin said in court on Thursday. “I feel she should be punished. It's wrong.”

Michele Shuey told Hathaway she responded to Gagliardi's solicitation to help the family.

Shuey and her children gathered toys and games from their bedrooms to donate to Martin's family. Shuey said she delivered the items to Gagliardi several weeks after the fire.

“I reached out, and I feel we were taken advantage of,” Shuey testified.

In addition to the jail time, Hathaway ordered Gagliardi to pay $500 in restitution, although Martin and Shuey agreed that the money will be paid to a local charity.

Rich Cholodofsky is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.