SAXONBURG - A state constable and part-time police officer is accused of pocketing more than $4,000 in fines and court costs collected from defendants wanted on court-issued warrants.

State police Tuesday charged George Galovich Jr., 48, of Wexford with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and misapplication of entrusted property.

Galovich, a constable for five years and a part-time Mars police officer for three years, allegedly failed to remit to district court receipts collected from defendants owing money primarily for traffic tickets and writing bad checks.

Galovich, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, was to be arraigned this morning before District Justice Wayne Seibel in Evans City and released on recognizance bond.

Galovich's attorney, Melvin Vatz, was not available for comment when contacted Tuesday at his Pittsburgh office.

Galovich's arrest followed a state police investigation that began in October after staff members for District Justice Sue Haggerty of Saxonburg earlier had uncovered evidence of possible wrongdoing.

Constables serve the district court system by serving warrants, liens, summonses, subpoenas and other legal papers.

If a person fails to pay the fine for a traffic ticket or some other summary offense, a constable - on an order from a district justice - will go to the person's house and collect the money.

Galovich allegedly collected money from at least 13 persons who owed money on outstanding tickets and other summaries, some dating back to 2000.

However, he never returned that money to the district justice's office and never removed the debt from the district justice's records.

Galovich, as constable, primarily served Haggerty's office in Butler County. He also serves two district justice offices in Allegheny County.

Haggerty said she dismissed Galovich from serving her office last summer when suspicions first surfaced over the defendant.

"I let him go because I felt he was not getting the money back here in a timely manner like I had told him to do," Haggerty said.

Mounting suspicions led Haggerty's office to contact the Butler County court administrator's office, which in turn alerted the Butler County District Attorney's office, authorities said.

Police in October met with Haggerty's administrative assistant, who reviewed the irregularities in the defendant's paperwork, including warrants he had obtained but never returned.

Haggerty's staffers learned Galovich "was bringing in monies for defendants whose warrants had already been satisfied and that other, older warrants issued to Galovich had never been processed or turned in to be updated," according to court documents.

A staff review of all warrants issued to Galovich followed.

The police investigation identified 13 defendants who, between May 2000 and October 2003, paid Galovich money for fines and court costs; however, the money collected, totaling $4,211, was never remitted to Haggerty's office.

Police noted Galovich, after being notified that he was under investigation, began repaying money he had earlier taken from some of the 13 persons previously issued warrants, documents said.

In 1999, Galovich was appointed as constable in Summit Township to fill a vacancy. He was elected to the six-year post in 2001.

A former Baldwin police officer in Allegheny County, Galovich in 2001 was hired as a part-time Mars police officer.

Mars Mayor Richard Settlemire said he was stunned over news of the charges against Galovich.

"This shocks the heck out of me," Settlemire said. "He's been a very good officer and has a great record with the police department."

The mayor said he spoke Tuesday with Galovich, who denied any wrongdoing. Settlemire said he had made no decision on whether the charges would affect Galovich's employment in Mars.

"A person is innocent until proven guilty, and I wouldn't want to pass judgment on him at this time," Settlemire said. "The state police will have to show me for me to believe this."

Mars police Chief Kevin Radford said Tuesday he was "blindsided" by news of the charges and declined comment until learning more about the case.