Christian school director accused of stealing thousands from church, Upstate deputies say
Tyler McGatha (Greenville County Records)
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC — The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit has arrested a woman who served as the director of an Upstate Christian school for stealing thousands from a church.
Deputies said that 45-year-old Tyler McGatha was charged with breach of trust greater than $10,000 following an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving Covenant Church Academy, located at 1310 Old Spartanburg Road in Greer. McGatha was charged Tuesday and released after posting a $10,000 bond.
According to officials, the investigation began in November 2025 after church leadership contacted the sheriff’s office with concerns that McGatha, who served as the director of Covenant Church Academy, may have been taking money from the church. During the investigation, the church also conducted a forensic audit.
Investigators determined that McGatha had manipulated payroll records by crediting at least two part-time employees with more hours than they actually worked, resulting in overpayment from school funds. According to a warrant, McGatha did this between January 2019 and August 2025.
Officials said that investigators found McGatha accepted cash payments from new enrollees in exchange for guaranteeing placement into the school and believe she kept the money for personal use rather than depositing it with the organization.
Investigators discovered McGatha used the church’s credit card to make personal purchases, according to deputies.
Covenant Church and Covenant Christian Academy gave the following statement in regards to McGatha’s arrest:
“Covenant Church and Covenant Christian Academy are heartbroken by the breach of financial trust that has impacted our church and school community.
After concerns arose regarding the handling and management of Covenant Christian Academy financial operations and accounts, church leadership took action to review the situation, sought professional assistance to investigate the allegations thoroughly and turned the findings over to law enforcement. The matter is now in the legal system.
Throughout this difficult process, our heart has remained with the students, families, teachers, and staff who make Covenant Christian Academy such a special place. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support, prayers, and encouragement from our church and school community.
While we cannot comment further due to the active legal matter, we remain committed to integrity, accountability, and the continued mission of Covenant Church and Covenant Christian Academy.”
