Cornerstone Christian worker indicted for theft

A former Cornerstone Christian School employee has been indicted by the Laurel County Grand Jury on theft charges at the Lily school.
The grand jury returned the indictment on Jan. 21 against Teresa Sears, 40, on nine counts of theft by unlawful taking over $300 and one count of tampering with evidence.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Danny Evans said according to the case file Sears, who had been an employee at the school for some time, is of accused taking more than $30,000 from the school in a 14-month period between Sept. 2003 and Nov. 2004.
Sears was also indicted on one count of tampering with physical evidence, for allegedly destroying documents related to the case. Evans offered no specifics about what evidence was destroyed.
Matt Webb, principal at Cornerstone Christian School stated that school officials discovered in Nov. that all of the school’s financial records, book keeping programs and hard copy financial records had been erased or were missing. The board approved a complete audit of the school’s financial situation to determine if any funds were missing.
“Within a few days of that decision came the resignation of our business manager,” Webb stated
A parent of a Cornerstone Christian School student said a letter was sent to all parents by school officials after the incident informing them about it.
Evans said school officials contacted his office about the missing funds. An investigation was conducted and charges were levied against Sears.
“She was never arrested,” Evans said. “She presented herself and made arrangements for her bond.”
According to documents at the Laurel County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Sears posted a $20,000 fully secured bond and was released.
Evans said Sears is scheduled to appear in Laurel Circuit Court on Feb. 28 before Judge Greg Lay for a preliminary hearing. No trial date has been set.
“This has been a financial setback for us, but we would like the community to know that the school is not going under financially,” Webb stated. “We know that God will provide all of our needs just as he always has in the past. We are setting up safe guards here at the school to prevent this from ever happening again.
“We are hopeful that through the court of law the money will be returned to the school,” he said.