Treasurer accused of embezzling over $100,000 from Elkhorn High School show choir

The treasurer of nonprofit organization that funds the Elkhorn High School show choir is in the Douglas County Corrections Center.

Omaha police booked Katrina Christensen on Tuesday morning for theft by deception and embezzling more than $5,000 from the Elkhorn High School pARTners, Parents for the Arts.

In court Wednesday, Douglas County prosecutors said Christensen embezzled $116,625.94. Prosecutors said Christensen wrote personal checks under the non-profits name, applied for personal loans under the nonprofits name and used the nonprofits debit and credit cards for personal use.

Investigators believe Christensen had been stealing money since 2015.

In emails obtained by KETV Newswatch 7, the all-volunteer board of directors made parents aware in early February of "significant losses to our pARTners bank account, inconsistent with previously reported balances."

The board told the parents it made the discovery in late January, a week before the choir's Red Carpet Classic event.

The money raised for the booster organization helps students with travel to show competitions, costumes and other necessities.

Elkhorn High School pARTners, Parents for the Arts sent us this statement:

"We appreciate your concern for our students and program. In the interest of allowing a criminal case to proceed without added prejudice and protecting minors affected by the situation, we are declining to comment at this time on details of our account and any specific activity around it. While we are understandably shocked and disappointed by the discovery of financial losses, we respectfully ask that you allow our volunteer organization to process the situation without interference. We are proactively moving forward, implementing changes to ensure that nothing like this happens again. We are committed to continuing our work of supporting our students in the Arts programs at Elkhorn High."

Elkhorn Public Schools sent us this statement:

“When the matter was brought to the administration by the booster club leadership, we promptly encouraged them to contact the police. We await the outcome of the investigation, and full restitution of the funds intended to support our choral music students.”