Feds allege $1 million theft from borough, school district
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Western Pennsylvania man was charged with stealing more than $1 million from a borough and school district in his role collecting taxes from both.
Federal prosecutors say 57-year-old Keith Kristek, a former Baden constable, was acting as the tax collector for Baden and Ambridge Area School District because the actual tax collector was unable to obtain a required performance bond.
Prosecutors allege Kristek collected about $320,000 in cash and more than $740,000 in checks intended for the borough and school district he converted for his own personal use. They allege he “commingled” tax payments for the borough and school district to “conceal his theft of funds.”
He’s also charged with four counts of filing false tax returns.
Defense attorney Chad Bowers declined comment Friday.