SNOW HILL — A local woman is awaiting her fate pending a pre-sentence investigation this week after entering a plea to multiple counts of theft and embezzlement from an Ocean City church where she worked.
Teresa Kolacz, 51, of Berlin, was charged in July with embezzlement and theft after an investigation revealed she allegedly absconded with over $100,000 from the St. George Green Orthodox Church in Ocean City over a two-year period dating back to April 2016. Last week, Kolacz entered an Alford plea to theft over $100,000. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to prosecute the case.
Kolacz also entered guilty pleas to embezzlement and forgery. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered and sentencing has been set for February 1. Last month, Kolacz was ordered to pay $81,257 in restitution to the church at the conclusion of a civil suit filed against her by the victim.
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There was an embezzlement in the small town of Fairmount, MD. near Crisfield some years back.
ReplyDeleteThe Church decided not to prosecute because the lady had small children. They reached an agreement that the embezzler would pay a small, very small amount each week but that didn't last long. Stealing from he members is one thing but from God? I don't think I would want to be in there shoes. This was reported in the local news.