In a surprising turn of events, a former administrative assistant at an Alabama Catholic church has pleaded guilty to embezzling approximately $300,000. The funds were allegedly used to purchase gifts for TikTok content creators and to cover personal expenses.
Guilty Plea and Charges
Kristen Marie Battocletti, 35, entered her guilty plea to one count of wire fraud in a federal courtroom in Tuscaloosa. The charge involves the theft of money from St. Francis of Assisi University Parish. According to court documents, Battocletti’s fraudulent activities spanned from April 2023 through October 2023, during which she misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Details of the Embezzlement Scheme
Federal authorities revealed that Battocletti used the embezzled funds to buy more than $220,000 worth of TikTok digital coins, which she gifted to various content creators on the platform. Additionally, she used the stolen money for personal expenses. The scheme involved initiating over 600 unauthorized transactions, as outlined in her indictment announced by U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama.
Upcoming Sentencing
U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler has scheduled Battocletti’s sentencing for November 26. She faces severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge, three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of $250,000. The case highlights the risks organizations face from internal fraud and the lengths some individuals may go to exploit digital platforms for personal gain.
