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.”

Omaha police investigate nearly $9,000 embezzled from church

Omaha police are investigating the embezzlement of nearly $9,000 from an Omaha church.


The theft of $8,895 from Lifegate Church near 155th Street and West Dodge Road was reported last week.

Church officials told police they discovered the missing money after firing an employee. They reviewed payroll records and found that the employee had embezzled six times during a six-month period from September 2013 to February 2014.

Embezzlement Probe At Northwest High School Athletic Booster Club

Members of the Omaha Northwest High School Athletic Booster Club noticed they were short some cash and suspect one of their own of embezzling funds within the last year.

The missing funds were reported to police on Wednesday, although it is unclear how much money was stolen.

According to the report filed, it is believed the funds went missing sometime between May and December of 2013.

No word on any arrests at this point.

The booster club declined to comment.

Police investigate possible $150,000 embezzlement from Bellevue soccer league in Nebraska

Bellevue police are investigating whether a youth soccer club was the victim of a $150,000 embezzlement scheme.

The Phoenix Futbol Club discovered financial irregularities after a new treasurer performed an audit, said the club's attorney, Bill Bianco of Omaha.

“With the assistance of our accountants, the IRS and our attorney, we have determined that over $150,000 in club funds were misappropriated,” the board wrote in a letter to parents and supporters.

Bianco said police began investigating in January. Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Tuesday that he will review the case once the investigation is complete.

Polikov did not identify the person at the center of the investigation, but Bianco said it is a former board member.

The club is open to youths between the ages of 5 and 19. It currently has 24 teams – and 300 kids – from across the Omaha-metro area.

The board wrote in its letter that the investigation would not interfere with the season – for players or the club: “Our club will continue to grow, improve and exceed your expectations for a quality soccer program.”

Former Lincoln, Nebraska director suspected of embezzling $24k from church child care center

The former director of a church child care facility is suspected of embezzling thousands of dollars from the business during her last nine months on the job.




Paula Kay Sparks, 47, was arrested Monday on suspicion of theft after the monsignor and current director at Holy Family Child Care Center, 3245 S. 37th St., noticed major discrepancies in the finances, of which Sparks was in charge, said Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood.



Flood said Sparks left the center between Jan. 1 and Sept. 3. She wouldn't say whether she was fired or quit, but said Sparks erased financial records and did not make deposits of cash payments from those paying for child care. A backup of financial records at an off-site location showed the missing sum to be $24,411, Flood said.