CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A payroll director at the Salvation Army’s district headquarters pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to one count of wire fraud.
[ALSO READ: Mystery donor drops gold coin worth $1.5K into local Salvation Army kettle]
Susan Watson was the payroll director for three years and prosecutors said she created prepaid debit cards, using the names of employees.
Watson loaded funds onto the cards and made cash withdrawals at ATMs.
Prosecutors said she pocketed $200,000.
Volunteers, who ring bells at red kettles to collect donations, were not happy with the crime.
“Yeah, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” volunteer Robert Daughtridge said.
Watson may have to pay some of the money back as part of her plea agreement and could face up to 20 years in prison.
>> Reading this story in our app? The new "Follow the Lead" feature allows you to tap the blue tag indicated with a '+' to subscribe to alerts on the very latest breaking news updates.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/5E3ILWXUVRH6ZNOMZLMAPSTNUY.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Q3HB4J23CFAI7JVK5Z3EOTHDJ4.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/E6MFFWZAX5CSVNT63NC2AEDD5I.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Z6STAYQ53BDENL5V6BRBE7BSHA.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YLIQQBNEHBF2BBP7SUY4LECXYE.jpeg)