FARGO, N.D. – Former executive director of Presentation Partners in Housing in Fargo Cheri Gerken faces charges.
She is accused of embezzling more than $200,000 while she was in charge of the non-profit.
Gerken was fired after the company says it discovered she used her company credit card for unauthorized purchases between 2019 and 2023.
Court documents obtained by Valley News Live show Gerken wrote a letter to police, explaining she was facing a divorce, medical bills, and that the declining economy created debt and financial issues.
Gerken admitted to using the company credit card to keep up with those bills and had the intention of paying the money back, but was unable to do so.
Gerken requested “mercy and a second chance” and was willing to do whatever she could to get her job back and the trust of fellow board members.
She’s charged with felony theft and is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
