Running a theatre company can present a number of challenges. Most importantly, no one can truly do it by themselves, they need help from others to not only handle what's going on stage but behind the scenes as well. This means bringing others into the fold, often placing an incredible amount of trust in certain people to handle major tasks within the theatre, including its finances.

While the vast majority of individuals serve these roles honorably and honestly, there are some who take advantage of the access they have and their actions could result in dire circumstances for the theatre company. Especially when certain people are stealing funds directly from the theatre itself.

In 2010, Mary Strand was named the Executive Director of the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council(FPFAC) in Fort Peck, MT. The non-profit group ran the Fort Peck Summer Theatre. While the FPFAC thought they were getting a model employee, Strand was eyeing the FPFAC as her own personal piggy-bank.

Soon after her hiring, Strand began to illegally use FPFAC's First Security Bank of Malta credit card for $50,579 worth of purchases from December 2011 to November 2013, court documents state. She then used FPFAC's second First Community Bank of Glasgow credit card from February 2011 to November 2013 for $6,814 worth of purchases.

Strand was also accused of laundering $3,000 through money orders purchased at the Glasgow Post Office made payable to others but deposited into her bank account. Strand also stole $8,037 from FPFAC from November 2010 to September 2013 through cashed and deposited checks, cash withdrawals and electronic payments from Valley Bank in Glasgow, according to documents. Strand was also accused of stealing $14,830 worth of cash from FPFAC and depositing it into her Independence Bank of Glasgow personal checking account.

The earliest credit card charge of the nearly 400 listed was $60 to a Super 8 Motel in Hamilton in January 2011. The final payments of $39.99 and $29.99 at a Best Buy in Missoula were recorded Nov. 25, 2013.