Pa. town's tax collector gambled away stolen $200K

ELKINS PARK, Pa. (AP) — The former tax collector for a suburban Philadelphia town is accused of embezzling more than $200,000 and gambling most of it away.

Prosecutors say 50-year-old Michael O’Neill stole tax revenue that was supposed to be used by Jenkintown and its school district then lost the money at the nearby Parx Casino. Investigators say he lost about $182,000 on weekly visits between December 2008 and December 2009.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman says the investigation began after account activity raised suspicion. She says O’Neill admitted the thefts.

O’Neill resigned as tax collector in January after eight years on the job. He was arraigned today on charges including theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking.

A phone number for O’Neill was disconnected.