Pittsburgh lawyer charged in Penn State cocaine ring breaks silence

Paul Robinson, 59, indicted for allegedly concealing evidence in a Penn State cocaine trafficking case, has issued his first public statement since being charged.

Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson speaks out after Penn State drug trafficking indictment

Paul Robinson, the Pittsburgh-based managing attorney charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking ring linked to Penn State University, has broken his silence one month after being indicted, cbsnews.com reports.

Robinson, 59, of Churchill, faces felony charges of tampering and hindering apprehension. Prosecutors allege he helped conceal a safe containing drugs and cash belonging to his son, Thomas Robinson, 24, who is identified as an alleged co-ringleader in the case. Thirteen other individuals — all current or former Penn State students — have also been indicted.

In a written statement released through his attorney, Michael DeRiso, Robinson said his son "obviously made one of the worst decisions while in college 2 years ago, and he knows that more than anyone." He added that Thomas has spent the intervening period finishing his degree, seeking counselling, and starting his own business.

"I have not lived a perfect life by any means, but the claims and reports about me are not true," Robinson said in the statement. "I respect the law more than anyone as those that know me I think would say. I tried to do everything right after my son was arrested 2 years ago, and I look forward to telling what actually happened when we have that opportunity."

Thomas Robinson is accused of leveraging his position within the Delta Upsilon fraternity at Penn State to recruit pledges into the trafficking operation. Initially arrested in 2024, he told investigators he purchased large quantities of cocaine from Agostino Abbatiello, whom officials have described as the ringleader of the scheme.

The elder Robinson's statement also addressed his son's re-indictment, arguing that Thomas's candour with investigators had been used against him. "After these past 2 years of doing everything right and fully admitting what he did to try to move forward, Tom was re-charged with the same crimes which already had been filed against him, and with even additional crimes from what Tom was honest in telling them he did," the statement read. "His honesty was used against him."

At a preliminary hearing earlier this month at Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, witnesses testified that Abbatiello referred to himself as the "Godfather" and was known for openly displaying wealth.

Both Paul and Thomas Robinson are expected to appear in court this week for arraignment proceedings.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)