Constable Stole More than $1 Million in Tax Payments from Baden Borough and Ambridge School District, Filed False Tax Returns

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Baden, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud and tax fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Keith Kristek, age 57, of Baden, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of filing a false income tax return before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from approximately January 2007 through February 2015, Keith Kristek, who was the elected Constable for Baden Borough, devised and executed a scheme to steal approximately $1,060,678.11 in tax payments from Baden Borough and the Ambridge Area School District. Additionally, Kristek failed to report his receipt of the stolen funds and filed false income tax returns with the IRS for tax years of 2011 through 2014.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Nov. 1, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 23 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Keith Kristek.