Escaped inmate insists he didn't kill woman at sentencing

Inmate who fled jail gets life but says he didn't kill woman

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A western Pennsylvania constable has resigned and pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1 million in local taxes that his wife had been elected to collect. Fifty-seven-year-old Keith Kristek and his defense attorney declined comment after Tuesday's plea to mail fraud and false tax return charges. Federal prosecutors say the Baden man stole $320,000 in cash payments and $740,000 worth of checks he collected since 2007 for his wife, the tax collector for Baden borough and the Ambridge Area School District. A federal prosecutor told the judge that Kristek gambled away the money, but didn't say where or how. The prosecutor says Kristek was working as his wife's unpaid deputy when he stole the money. Kristen must return for sentencing before a federal judge in Pittsburgh on Nov. 1.

Ex-constable pleads to stealing $1M in local taxes to gamble