PITTSBURGH — A federal grand jury says former Pittsburgh police chief Nate Harper illegally diverted more than $70,000 that was received by the police bureau’s special events office and he spent more than $31,000 of that on himself.

The fund was established as a repository for a $3.85 per hour fee the city charges bars, restaurants and other businesses when they hire off-duty police to work security details.

According to the indictment unsealed today, Harper authorized others to open two Police Federal Credit Union accounts that he allegedly used to access the money from September 2008 to December 2012.

That money was spent in a variety of places, including restaurants and a Sam’s Club where a 32-inch LCD television was bought.

Harper is charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and four counts of failing to file tax returns from 2008 to 2011.