This is an addiction.
A former administrative assistant at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Kristen Marie Battocletti, faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling nearly $300,000 from the church. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama charged her with one count of wire fraud. From April to October 2023, Battocletti diverted funds from the church, spending over $220,000 on TikTok coins to send virtual gifts to content creators.
Donald Carson, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Birmingham, explained that Battocletti had worked at the church since 2018, handling various administrative duties, including bookkeeping. The theft was discovered after the church’s pastor and finance council noticed a significant depletion of cash reserves, prompting an audit by the diocese. The audit revealed unauthorized transactions made by Battocletti, who had taken steps to conceal her actions.
Following the discovery, Battocletti was immediately terminated, and law enforcement was notified. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office took over the investigation. Carson expressed confusion over Battocletti’s expenditure on TikTok, speculating that it might be related to a social media addiction.
In response to the theft, the church has implemented stricter financial controls to prevent future incidents. Despite the financial loss, Carson assured that the church would recover, thanks to the support of its members and insurance coverage. He emphasized the resilience of the parish and the efforts of parishioners to ensure both financial and spiritual recovery.
While the church prays for Battocletti and her family, Carson stated that her fate is now in the hands of the court. He acknowledged that people make mistakes and bad choices, and the church hopes for the best possible outcome for her future.