Pittsburgh attorney, student’s dad charged in Penn State frat drug ring

Pittsburgh attorney, student's dad charged in Penn State frat drug ring.

Key points

• Robinson is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Pennsylvania Defense Institution, Defense Research Institute and Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County.
• Robinson received his bachelor's degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and his law degree from New England School of Law in 1992.
• The drug trafficking allegedly occurred in 2023 and 2024, primarily at two fraternity houses.
• Paul Robinson is an attorney at Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck, PLLC headquartered in Pittsburgh, according to the firm's website.
• A Pittsburgh attorney and 13 former Pennsylvania State University students were charged in a cocaine trafficking operation.

Pittsburgh attorney, student's dad charged in Penn State frat drug ring. Finch Walker USA TODAY NETWORK. What is a fraternity pledge? Penn State drug case explained.

Authorities say some fraternity pledges supported package cocaine. Here's what a pledge is and why prosecutors highlighted them.

Meanwhile, a Pittsburgh attorney and 13 former Pennsylvania State University students were charged in a cocaine trafficking operation.

Notably, the attorney, Paul Robinson, is accused of tampering, concealing evidence and obstructing the investigation.

In practice, the drug trafficking allegedly occurred in 2023 and 2024, primarily at two fraternity houses.

For context, a Pittsburgh attorney was charged alongside 13 Pennsylvania State University students, including his son, in connection to a cocaine drug trafficking operation that the state attorney notes was conducted by fraternity members.

On Aug. 17, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday remarked at a press conference that 14 residents had been charged after his office investigated drug trafficking that occurred at the school in 2023 and 2024. Those arrested included Paul Robinson, a Pittsburgh-based attorney and the father of Thomas Robinson, one of the leaders of the operation. Here's what to know. Pittsburgh attorney charged in Penn State cocaine trafficking ring.

Paul Robinson, a Pittsburgh attorney and the father of Thomas M. Robinson, one of the two alleged leaders of the operation who was previously charged with drug dealing in December 2024, was the only non-student to face charges on Aug. 17.

During the Aug. 17 press conference, Sunday remarked Robinson "took steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstruct this investigation." He was charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence and obstructing the investigation, according to a press release from Sunday's office. Former students charged in cocaine trafficking ring at Penn State.

Cocaine trafficking took place in 2023 and 2024 and involved cutting and packaging sizeable amounts of cocaine, primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, Sunday stated, noting that there was no evidence that drug packaging occurred on Penn State campus. The drug dealing was "largely from friend to friend, fraternity brother to fraternity brother, acquaintance to acquaintance, at fraternity houses or during parties or social engagements, " Sunday remarked.

None of the students are at present enrolled at the university, he stated.

Sunday alleged that Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main suppliers of cocaine and created regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to pick up the drugs.

Meanwhile, the two, alongside Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses. As well as related misdemeanors, robert Zanolla was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal employ of a communication facility. Eight other students were charged with misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. Who is Pittsburgh attorney charged in cocaine trafficking ring?

Paul Robinson is an attorney at Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck, PLLC headquartered in Pittsburgh, according to the firm's website. His areas of practice include transportation, products of liability, commercial law, construction law and insurance litigation and coverage.

Robinson received his bachelor's degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and his law degree from New England School of Law in 1992. He was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1992 and in West Virginia in 1993, according to the firm's website. He is additionally admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Robinson is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Pennsylvania Defense Institution, Defense Research Institute and Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County. He is a life fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and a delegate for Zone 12 of the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates.

In an official note to CBS News Pittsburgh, the law firm remarked it was aware of the charges filed against Robinson.

"The allegations concern Mr. Robinson individually and do not involve the Firm, its clients, or the legal services provided by the Firm, " the statement remarked. "The Firm is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the matter. Since the criminal proceeding is ongoing, the Firm will not comment on the substance of the allegations or speculate regarding the evidence."

Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around pittsburgh attorney, students dad charged in Penn State frat drug ring point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.