Idaho Presbytery Employee Sentenced for Embezzling $330K
Plea deal shaved off decades of prison time
A presbytery employee in Idaho Falls, Idaho, who was accused of embezzling over $330,000 from a church organization has received her sentence.
Kaitlyn Fisher / Photo courtesy of Bonneville County Jail
In May, police arrested Kaitlyn L. Fisher, 31, while she was working for the Presbytery of Kendall—a church organization overseeing at least 12 eastern Idaho Presbyterian churches.
Initially, Fisher pleaded not guilty to 15 counts, including three counts of grand theft, four counts of state income tax evasion, four counts of perjury, and four counts of accessing or using a computer to defraud or obtain money. Fisher would have faced up to 42 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
In July, Fisher entered a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to three counts in exchange for dropping the remaining charges and for the prosecution to recommend a minimum of three years in prison.
On November 6, District Judge Bruce Pickett sentenced Fisher to three to 10 years in prison. She will also be required to pay over $330,000 in restitution.
According to police records, Fisher reportedly used the church money to buy a red 2018 Honda 4-wheeler and pay a local landscape designer. The secretary also deducted over $280,000 from the organization’s Wells Fargo account and used the stolen funds to finish a basement in her new house, police say. Her mortgage, child care, food, gas, furniture, and a dog were all additional charges.
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KSL News reported that during the sentencing, Fisher’s attorney argued that her embezzlement stemmed from severe financial hardship, including her husband’s job loss, insurance loss, and substantial family medical expenses—possibly totaling around $100,000 of the stolen funds.
Her attorney also noted that Fisher lacked professional accounting experience and suggested the theft might have been detected sooner had the organization exercised stronger oversight of its financial operations.
Bonneville County prosecutor Lou Harris requested a three to 10-year sentence, citing Fisher’s “broken moral compass” for stealing church funds over the course of two years.
Two church organization employees delivered victim impact statements, expressing anger, betrayal, and the hardship caused by her actions.
Fisher tearfully apologized, acknowledging her wrongdoing.
Judge Pickett dismissed any excuse for misusing others’ money before delivering the sentence.
The Presbytery of Kendall is part of the Presbyterian Church USA, the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. and recognized for its progressive teaching.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.
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