FAIRVIEW TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Investigators say a Luzerne County tax collector has pleaded guilty to embezzling $400,000 of public funds for personal use.
According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, 46-year-old Karen McGinnis of Mountain Top pleaded guilty to embezzling public funds.
From March 2023 to January 2025, McGinnis was the tax collector for Fairview Township and was responsible for collecting property taxes from residents. This included taxes payable to Fairview Township, Luzerne County, and the Crestwood School District.
During that timeframe, detectives said McGinnis embezzled more than $400,000 in property taxes and used them for her own personal use.
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The release noted that both Luzerne County and the Crestwood School District received more than $10,000 in grants from the federal government and other programs during this time.
McGinnis resigned as tax collector in March 2025.
She agreed not to seek public office for the longer of three years or any term of probation given. McGinnis also agreed to pay full restitution of the money she embezzled as part of her sentence.
The maximum penalty is ten years, a term of supervised release, and a fine.
