Berlin woman sentenced on theft and other charges

SNOW HILL, Md. – A Berlin woman is facing ten years behind bars after she reportedly stole money from an Ocean City church last year.

Police say they learned of the incident on May 15th, 2018, when officials from the St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church reported that they believed the church secretary and bookkeeper was stealing money from the church.

Further investigation and a review of the church’s financial records showed that over a two year period, 51-year-old Theresa Kolacz stole $141,609 from the church by writing unauthorized checks to herself and taking cash that was supposed to be deposited in the church’s bank account. When questioned, Kolacz admitted to police that she also stole money donated to the church as well as rent received from the church’s rental properties.

Kolacz was convicted of theft over $100,000, embezzlement, and forgery charges on December 6th.