Montco woman charged in $81,400 church theft

A Hatfield Township woman was arrested Thursday and charged with stealing more than $81,400 from a church when she was its treasurer, leaving only $36.11 in the bank account, officials said.

Stephanie Kligge, 35, had been treasurer of the board for the Evangelical Congregational Church from July 2012 through June 30, 2013, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Hatfield Township Police Chief William Tierney said in a joint statement.

Bail was set at $25,000 for Kligge on multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property and misapplication of entrusted property.

The officials said that while she was treasurer, she made 64 withdrawals from the church's account totaling $61,453.20 for her own personal and stole $20,000 to purchase gift cards she kept for her own personal use rather then provide to the church's fund-raising program.

"To conceal her crimes, the defendant provided the church with false monthly treasure reports indicating a balance of over $100,000, while in reality, the defendant drained the account leaving only $36.11 remaining," according to the statement.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 24.