Bismarck, ND — A woman employed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing $38,000 from the church and making unauthorized purchases using its credit card.
According to a police affidavit, Bismarck Police were contacted on December 20 by the senior pastor of the church. The pastor reported that Chelsa Kinsella, who had worked at the church since September, had failed to deposit church funds as required by her position. The missing $38,000 was reportedly unaccounted for, and the church’s credit card had been used to make unauthorized purchases totaling over $650 on Amazon.
Kinsella was subsequently fired after the discrepancies were discovered. She was reportedly instructed by the senior pastor to return all missing funds to the church. On December 21, Kinsella returned to the church and handed over two locked bank deposit bags to church officials, as well as police. However, three additional unsecured deposit bags containing $16,313 in checks and cash were later found in her car.
Kinsella has been charged with Theft – Taking $10,000-$50,000, a Class B Felony, and Unauthorized Use of Personal Identifying Information, a Class A Felony, as this is her second offense. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to review the case.
