DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A member at a Dauphin County fire company social club was arrested Thursday after police say he embezzled $80,000 and admitted he had a gambling problem.
Tamas Topos, 57, of Steelton, allegedly admitted to police that he stole from the Friendship Fire Company Social Club due to a gambling problem, Lower Swatara Township Police said in the charges filed.
Topos was a steward of the social club, according to police.
According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began after police were made aware in August of Topos failing to maintain proper financial records.
Topos recorded 34 games of chance that were going on during a certain time period when there were actually 46 games. The fire club should have made over $34k from the games, but Topos allegedly recorded only $24k.
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Close to 200 video files showed Topos doing unsupervised counts after club hours, and even pocketing cash from the club’s daily proceeds as well as using club funds to play skill machines, according to police.
Withdrawals were done by Topos at multiple social clubs from December to July, police say. Bank records showed financial troubles while Topos had control over the funds.
Topos allegedly admitted to police that he stole the money, claiming to repay it “most of the time,” the complaint states. He also admitted to having a gambling problem and failed to explain the loss of funds.
The total amount stolen was determined to be $80,940.65.
Topos is also accused of falsifying records that he submitted to the PA Liquor Control Enforcement office to deceive auditors.
Topos faces a felony charge of theft and a misdemeanor charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
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Topos is in custody, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26.
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