Former West Fargo church business manager indicted for embezzling over $600,000

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A former business manager for Faith Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo is accused in federal court of embezzling over $600,000.

Carly Tufte has been indicted on five counts of bank fraud and one count of access device fraud.

Court documents show the alleged thefts happened between April 2019 and December 2024.

Tufte is accused of opening a credit card in her own name as well as “Faith Lutheran Church” without authorization in April 2019.

She had statements sent to her home instead of to the church.

In total, she charged nearly $640,000 worth to the card for expenses including rent, vacations and travel.

Tufte covered the credit card balances with the church’s general fund account at Gate City Bank through December 2025.

She resigned on December 13, 2024, two days after the new church pastor told her he intended to review the books.

The credit card she used wasn’t discovered until last month and was finally canceled.

Tufte was arrested and scheduled to make her initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Fargo.