WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A former West Fargo church business manager has been indicted on federal fraud charges, accused of embezzling approximately $600,000 from her employer over more than five years.
Carly Anne Tufte, who worked at Faith Journey Lutheran Church, faces five counts of bank fraud and one count of access device fraud in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
According to the indictment filed Jan. 28, Tufte was hired as an office administrative assistant at the church in 2018 and promoted to business manager in 2019. She earned approximately $53,000 annually when she resigned Dec. 13, 2024.
Federal prosecutors allege Tufte opened an unauthorized credit card in April 2019 through First National Bank of Omaha in both her name and the church’s name. The card statements were sent to her residence instead of the church.
Between April 2019 and December 2024, Tufte allegedly charged nearly $640,000 in expenses, interest, and fees to the card, with the vast majority for non-church purchases, including vacation travel and clothing, according to court documents.
Prosecutors say Tufte made unauthorized payments from the church’s General Fund account at Gate City Bank to pay the credit card balances. In total, she allegedly used approximately $600,000 from the church account to pay her personal credit card expenses.
The indictment also alleges Tufte used a debit card connected to the church’s bank account to pay rent at her personal residence.
To conceal the embezzlement, prosecutors say Tufte avoided providing bank statements to the church treasurer, who was a certified public accountant, and made false journal entries to make it appear the church had higher expenses.
Tufte abruptly resigned two days after being informed that the new church pastor intended to review the books, according to the indictment. She did not return her work computer until Dec. 18, 2024.
The church discovered the existence of the credit card in January 2025 after Tufte resigned. She cancelled the card Jan. 28, 2025.
If convicted, Tufte faces potential forfeiture of any property derived from proceeds traceable to the alleged bank fraud violations. Her arraignment and initial appearance are set for February 4 at 1:30 pm.
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