A longtime treasurer for the Unity Lutheran Church at 1450 East 33rd St. in Des Moines has been charged with seven felony counts of theft, a church attorney told KCCI Friday night. Carol Jean Padgett, 69, is accused of stealing up to $70,000 from the church over a period of seven years, said church attorney Marlon Mormann. After the losses were discovered, the church was going to be closed permanently, but an anonymous donor made a contribution to prevent that from happening. The alleged perpetrator hid bank statements and notified board members that the church had to close due to insufficient funds. But church officials grew suspicious and checked for themselves and noticed small ATM withdrawals. Online records show Padgett was being held at the Polk County Jail but posted $45,000 bond and was released Dec. 5. She is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 19 at the Polk County Courthouse.The board has declined to comment due to pending criminal proceedings.

A longtime treasurer for the Unity Lutheran Church at 1450 East 33rd St. in Des Moines has been charged with seven felony counts of theft, a church attorney told KCCI Friday night.

Carol Jean Padgett, 69, is accused of stealing up to $70,000 from the church over a period of seven years, said church attorney Marlon Mormann. After the losses were discovered, the church was going to be closed permanently, but an anonymous donor made a contribution to prevent that from happening.


The alleged perpetrator hid bank statements and notified board members that the church had to close due to insufficient funds. But church officials grew suspicious and checked for themselves and noticed small ATM withdrawals.

Online records show Padgett was being held at the Polk County Jail but posted $45,000 bond and was released Dec. 5.

She is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 19 at the Polk County Courthouse.

The board has declined to comment due to pending criminal proceedings.