SMETHPORT – Former chief of the McKean County Tax Claim Office
Colleen Jo Nobles pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court to
inappropriately using tax money while she was in office.

President Judge John Cleland took the plea, and spent several
minutes questioning Nobles, 44, of Smethport, to make sure she
understood what she was doing, and that no one was forcing her to
plead guilty to the charges of embezzlement, tampering with records
and misapplication of entrusted property.

Nobles, represented by attorney Jay Paul Kahle, stood quietly
between her attorney and Margaret Cassidy, the special prosecutor
from the state Attorney General’s office, and occasionally wiped
away tears with a tissue. She spent most of the hearing looking
down at the floor in front of her.

Cleland explained her rights, such as the right to a trial by
jury and the right to cross examine witnesses against her, and
said, “When you plead guilty, you give up those rights. Do you
understand?”

“Yes,” Nobles said softly.

Cleland asked Cassidy to explain the facts she would have proven
had the case gone to trial.

Cassidy said that while Nobles was employed as the tax claims
chief, she took money left over from the sheriff’s sale of another
taxpayer’s home and applied that money to her own delinquent taxes.
There was also a question of an amount of money unaccounted for
from a bank deposit.

The irregularities came to light during an audit of the Tax
Claim Office.

In total, Cassidy said, “the auditors concluded that Ms. Nobles
took $1,528.”

Cassidy added that Nobles had admitted her actions when
confronted by state police and had already made restitution.

Cleland said there was a sentence recommendation entered into
along with the plea agreement, recommending a term of
probation.

Cassidy explained why she felt that was appropriate.

“Ms. Nobles took immediate responsibility,” she said. “She
expressed remorse. She sought professional services for what caused
her to do this. There does not appear to be any aggravating
circumstances.”

Cleland then turned to Nobles and asked what plea she wanted to
enter.

“Guilty,” Nobles said, nodding her head in agreement.

Cleland accepted the plea and set sentencing for 1 p.m. Feb.
8.