GIBSONIA, Pa. – A former Pennsylvania union official turned himself in this week and told police he stole $179,863 from the Pine-Richland Education Association between 2010 and last fall.

Edward Maritz, 44, faces charges of theft, forgery, misapplication of entrusted property, receiving stolen property and tampering with records after he allegedly wrote more than 150 checks to himself while serving as the treasurer of the union between June 2010 and September 2014, the Triblive.com reports.

Maritz, a business teacher in the Pine-Richland School District, was accompanied by his attorney Christopher Thomas at his arraignment in West Deer and did not comment on the charges, though Thomas did.

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“His own conscience caught up to him,” Thomas said.

“He’s taking responsibility as much as he could in the situation,” he said, according to Channel 11. “He’s actively enrolled in counseling and treatment. At this point, he just wants to move forward and continue to take responsibility for his actions.”

Maritz allegedly told police he is a “pathological gambler,” and spent the union dues on scratch-off lottery tickets, and gambling at the Rivers Casino.

“It was the perfect storm. People trusted me and I took advantage of the trust they had in me,” Maritz told police, according to reports cited by WPXI.

Maritz was a teacher at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School until he was granted sabbatical leave by the school board in October. He also previously served as a board member in the Sto-Rox School District for decades before resigning in 2013. Pennsylvania law grants half-pay to employees on sabbatical.

Maritz told police he sidestepped an audit in the 2009-10 school year by copy and pasting signatures on certification forms, TribLive reports.

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Police said Maritz also avoided detection by keeping bank statements in his classroom, according to WXPI.

District officials told the media they will report Maritz’ arrest to the Pennsylvania State Department of Education, but declined further comment.

Pine-Richland Education Association officials also declined comment, TribLive reports.

Local defense attorney Phil DiLucente told TribLive he believes embezzlement cases involving addictions are becoming increasingly common.

“Since 2008, I’ve noticed a greater amount of cases coming into my office that are the result of financial difficulties, gambling addiction and drinking,” he said.