Tax Accountant Stole $20,000, Which Explains Why Her Business Abruptly Closed

A Sunset Hills accounting business closed abruptly last week just days before the tax deadline. Its owner was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $19,869 from a client.

Mary Beth Gable, 55, owner of MEG Accounting and Tax Services at 10345 Watson Rd., pleaded guilty to the theft charge in February. Gable, of the 12400 block of Chrisann Lane in Sunset Hills, was sentenced on March 29.

Customers were asked to pick up their tax files from Gable's business by April 12. No one was in the office when a Patch editor stopped by on April 15, and the business phone number has since been disconnected.

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St. Louis County Police said Gable, acting as a bookkeeper for Hessler’s Pub and Grill in South County, wrote herself five checks totaling $19,869. The checks, written between Jan. 12 and Oct. 27, 2011, were deposited into her bank account, according to court documents.

Police said the Hessler’s Pub and Grill owner became suspicious when his landlord complained rent payments were being sent late and the business’ insurance company canceled coverage because premiums were not paid. The owner investigated and found Gable had stolen money.

Gable was arrested for the crime Sept. 10, 2012.

For more crime information on Sunset Hills Patch, see the following articles:

• Customers of MEG Accounting Should Secure Tax Files Immediately
• 35 Pairs of Frames Stolen from LensCrafters Store