Church bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft

Associated Press

IDAHO FALLS— A former bookkeeper at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church pleaded guilty to charges of embezzling nearly $90,000.

Kathryn S. Martin, 43, pleaded guilty to one count each of grand theft, forgery and fraudulent use of a credit card. She previously pleaded innocent to all charges on March 31.

Martin is accused of stealing more than $88,000 between 1998 and 2003.

Rev. Bruce Henne said the church realized money was missing after she was laid off from her secretarial and bookkeeping job in November.

In a preliminary plea agreement, Martin agreed to pay $25,000 restitution, said defense attorney Patrick Duffin.

Prosecutors can argue for jail time at the sentencing date, set for July 16.