Dad busted in Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring case is prominent Pittsburgh lawyer

A prominent Pittsburgh lawyer has been implicated in the Penn State frat brother drug trafficking scandal — with his son among the alleged ringleaders.

Read more ‘Top of the chain’ alleged ringleader behind Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring turns himself in

Paul Robinson, an attorney with the firm of Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebeneck & Eck and onetime frat member, is charged with helping to hide evidence from an alleged multi-state cocaine-trafficking ring in the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities at Penn State run by his son, Thomas, and other current and former students.

In all, 14 people were charged, with Thomas Robinson and Agostino Abbatiello described as the alleged ringleaders of the operation.

Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence in the case, including a safe stuffed with cash and drugs and obstructing the investigation, state prosecutors said.

The elder Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from New England School of Law in 1992, according to his company profile, which also lists Thomas as one of his children.

He was treasurer for Delta Sigma Phi as an undergrad, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta while in law school, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and specializes in transportation, commercial, construction and insurance law.

He is currently a managing attorney at Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebeneck & Eck based in Pittsburgh.

In a statement, the law firm told The Post it is 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 continued. “The Firm is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the matter.”

Penn State announced Monday that it is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while an investigation is conducted, but said Sigma Chi operates outside of the university’s oversight.

Read more Penn State frat cocaine ring busted thanks to absolutely obvious mistake

Prosecutors claim Thomas Robinson, a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, and Nassau County resident Agostino Abbatiello, a Sigma Chi frat brother, were the alleged ringleaders of the drug-trading enterprise.

Follow the latest on the cocaine trafficking ring run by Penn State frat bros:

• 13 Penn State frat bros busted in cocaine trafficking ring — including Long Island student at ‘top of the chain’
• ‘Top of the chain’ alleged ringleader behind Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring turns himself in
• Dad busted in Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring case is prominent Pittsburgh lawyer
• Penn State frat house gave TikTok tour hours before being busted as cocaine den

Abbatiello, 24, lives in a spacious single-family home in Westbury, valued at $1.4 million, according to property records.

The frats allegedly coordinated with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia.

When an undercover cop busted Robinson, the alleged dealer told authorities Abbatiello sold him batches of cocaine of up to one kilogram for as much as $22,000, .

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs at the college. 

“Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”

The charges were announced Monday by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who called it “a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew” involving frat brothers and their families. 

In a new press release, the attorney general said Abbatiello surrendered Tuesday morning and was arraigned.

“We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court,” Sunday said Tuesday. “These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings.”

Paul Robinson did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday. His son could not immediately be reached for comment.

Abbatiello’s dad, Mario Abbatiello, told The Post Tuesday: “We have no comment. We have nothing to do with this. We have no comment.”

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