Gambling addiction caused McDonald's general manager to steal $241K from restaurant, complaint says

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — A man is accused of stealing $241,000 while he was the general manager of the McDonald's in Wilkinsburg.

Charles Hobi allegedly stole the money all within a couple of months from the fast food chain on Penn Avenue, according to the criminal complaint.

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The owner of the restaurant told police he was reviewing his bank records in January when he noticed a large amount of money missing.

After asking his bank for a list of deposits made over the course of a few months, he found that there were daily deposits from McDonald's that were never made, according to the complaint. The owner reviewed surveillance footage and saw that Hobi pocketing daily receipts.

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The owner than approached Hobi, who did not deny stealing the money, according to police, who also told them he had a gambling addiction. A criminal complaint said that he "gambled it away," with intentions of paying it back -- but his "losses grew."

Hobi told police his addiction was so bad that he spent $400,000 in his 401k and ran up $80,000 in credit card debt.

The owner immediately fired Hobi from his position.

Hobi turned himself in to district attorney detectives on Tuesday. He was arraigned and put in jail with bail set at $5,000.

According to investigators, Hobi was surprised when he was taken into custody. He said he was trying to sell his house and was hoping he could just pay the owner back.

Hobi posted bond on Wednesday and will be released from jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31.

Cox Media Group