Constable Stole $1M in Tax Payments

PITTSBURGH – In a shocking case of corruption, Keith Kristek, the former elected Constable of Baden Borough, pleaded guilty to stealing over $1 million in tax payments from the borough and the Ambridge Area School District.

According to court documents, Kristek, 57, devised a scheme to steal the funds between January 2007 and February 2015. He used his position to embezzle the money, which totaled $1,060,678.11.

Kristek’s crimes didn’t stop there. He also failed to report the stolen funds and filed false income tax returns with the IRS for tax years 2011 through 2014.

The investigation into Kristek’s crimes was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting the case.

Kristek’s guilty plea includes one count of mail fraud and one count of filing a false income tax return. He is set to be sentenced on November 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 will be based on the seriousness of the offense and Kristek’s prior criminal history, if any.

The people of Baden Borough and the Ambridge Area School District will be relieved to see justice served in this case. The community will not tolerate corruption and greed from those in power.

Kristek’s actions were a betrayal of the public’s trust, and he will face the consequences for his crimes.