Former Pennsylvania Township Supervisor Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Evasion and Bank Fraud

A former township supervisor from Aristes, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to over a year in federal prison for her involvement in a scheme that defrauded her township and resulted in significant tax evasion. Linda Tarlecki, 63, was ordered to serve 12 months and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and to pay substantial restitution. The case, investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, highlights the consequences of misappropriating public funds and failing to meet tax obligations.

Tarlecki, who served as a township supervisor for Conyngham Township in Columbia County from 2006 to 2018, admitted to misappropriating over $147,000 from the township between 2013 and 2017. Her fraudulent activities included issuing duplicate payroll checks to herself and claiming reimbursement for mileage and supplies that were never incurred or purchased. This misappropriation of funds directly led to a tax evasion charge, as Tarlecki failed to report this illicit income to the Internal Revenue Service. The unfulfilled tax obligations to the IRS amounted to over $38,000. In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann ordered Tarlecki to pay $187,427 in restitution to the United States. This restitution amount likely covers both the misappropriated township funds and the owed federal taxes, along with any associated penalties and interest. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder that all income, regardless of its source, is subject to taxation and that individuals entrusted with public funds are held to a high standard of accountability.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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