WEST FARGO, ND — A former Lutheran church business manager will go on trial in April on federal charges for allegedly stealing more than half a million dollars from a North Dakota congregation.

Carly Anne Tufte, the former business manager of Faith Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo is accused of stealing  $640,000 in church funds from April 2019 through December 13, 2024.  She resigned after learning that the new church pastor intended to review the books.

Tufte was indicted in January on five counts of bank fraud and one count of access device fraud. Online records show her federal trial starts April 14.

Investigators believe Tufte engaged in wrongdoing shortly after she was promoted to business manager in 2019. That is when she opened a First National Bank of Omaha credit card in hers and the church’s name without authorization and had the card sent to her personal residence.

The unauthorized purchases included vacations and clothing, according to the nine-page federal indictment.

She also allegedly used a debit card associated with the church’s general fund account at Gate City Bank to pay for her personal credit card balances.

To hide the money trail, she avoided providing bank statements to the church treasurer, who was a certified public accountant. She allegedly then made false journal entries to make it appear the church had higher expenses, resulting in lower bank balances.

Faith Journey released a statement regarding Tufte.

“Upon discovering unauthorized financial activity, Church leadership immediately took action, including notifying appropriate authorities and initiating a full review of church finances,” the statement says.

“Church leadership recognizes the seriousness of this situation and the trust that was violated.”

“We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this breach of trust,” Faith Journey Pastor Sue Koesterman said. “Our congregation and community deserve transparency, integrity, and accountability, and we are committed to upholding those values.”

Church leaders say they added safeguards to prevent such incidents from recurring.

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