William McGinley stole more than $43,000 in bail money and fingerprint fees
HARRISBURG—Attorney General Josh Shapiro is announcing that the former Carbon County Clerk of Courts pleaded guilty to stealing more than $43,000 in bail money and fingerprint fees submitted to the Clerk of Courts Office, typically through the Carbon County Prison. William McGinley, 60, of Lehighton, pleaded guilty on Monday to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Tampering with Public Records, and Obstruction of the Administration of Law.
“The people of Carbon County elected the defendant to his position of public trust for nearly three decades, but he abused that trust by stealing from the funds that he was supposed to oversee,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “As a result, many individuals experienced delays in receiving the money they were entitled to at the conclusion of their cases. Yesterday, William McGinley admitted to his crimes. He no longer holds public office and he has paid back the funds that he stole from the hardworking people of Carbon County. My Office will continue hold anyone who abuses their position of authority accountable, no matter who they are.”
McGinley was elected to the position of Clerk of Courts in 1990 and held the seat until early 2018. His misconduct began as early as 2013. He was arrested and charged in December 2018.
The defendant paid back the full amount that he was charged with stealing and an additional $7,500 in restitution. Sentencing was scheduled for November 15, 2019. Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo prosecuted the case.
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