WILKES-BARRE, PA — A former tax collector for Fairview Township in Luzerne County pleaded guilty this week to embezzling nearly $400,000 in property taxes. Karen McGinnis, 46, of Mountaintop, admitted in federal court to one count of embezzlement of public funds during her plea on Monday.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, McGinnis, who resigned from her position in March, embezzled the funds while serving as the township's tax collector. The exact period over which the theft occurred was not specified, but the total amount is documented at approximately $400,000.
As part of her plea agreement, McGinnis is required to repay the full amount of the embezzled funds. She is scheduled to appear in federal court again in December for a pre-sentence conference, where her sentencing will be determined. The charge of embezzlement of public funds carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison, along with fines and supervised release. The case highlights the vulnerabilities in local government financial oversight and the consequences for those who abuse positions of public trust.