A former tax collector for Fairview Township has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $400,000 in property tax funds, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Karen McGinnis, 46, of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, entered her guilty plea before United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick, admitting to the misappropriation of public funds.
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McGinnis served as the tax collector from March 2023 until January 2025. During this period, she was responsible for collecting property taxes from Fairview Township residents, which included funds designated for the Township, Luzerne County, and the Crestwood School District. The investigation revealed that McGinnis converted over $400,000 of these collected taxes for her personal use. Notably, both Luzerne County and the Crestwood School District had received federal grant funding during the timeframe of the embezzlement. McGinnis resigned from her position in March 2025. As part of her plea agreement, she has agreed to make full restitution for the embezzled funds and has consented to not seeking public office for a period of three years or any probationary term imposed, whichever is longer. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting the case. Individuals convicted of this federal offense face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a period of supervised release, and a fine. The final sentence will be determined by the judge after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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