Former FPFAC Executive Director Faces Felony Charges

Charges were filed last week by the county attorney in an embezzlement case involving the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council. Mary Strand, former executive director of the Council, faces five felony charges: four counts of theft of property by embezzlement and one count of money laundering. She stands accused of stealing more than $80,000 from the FPFAC.

An arraignment is tentatively scheduled in district court at 10 a.m., on Monday, Dec. 21, according to County Attorney, Nick Murnion. The time and date are dependent on the mail service and verification that Strand has been properly served at her residence in Nevada. When she is properly served, she will appear in court to hear the charges and enter a plea.

Murnion declined to comment on the case, but did praise the efforts of the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, noting the investigation had been very thorough.

Sheriff Glen Meier spoke in general terms of the investigation. He stated that it was a difficult and complex case that his department worked diligently on, but they also welcomed the partnership with the FBI. He stressed the federal agency has far more resources and can go where our local department cannot. Like Murnion, he praised their work as very thorough.

The local community has waited nearly two years for news of the investigation. Meier says, “We are sorry it took so long, but it was a difficult investigation.” In part, the inquiry was extensive in order to vindicate board members, patrons, and Fort Peck Summer Theatre workers in the wake of finger pointing. In the end, Meier is convinced that only one individual was involved in the alleged thefts.

Strand is accused of committing the thefts over a period of three years, from November 2010 to November 2013. According to court documents, the charges are as follows:

Count 1: Theft of Property by Embezzlement “... the Defendant stole approximately $50,579.41 … by using a credit card from the First Security Bank, Malta, Montana ...”

Count 2: Theft of Property by Embezzlement “... the Defendant stole approximately $6,814.85 … by using a credit card from the First Community Bank, Glasgow, Montana ...”

Count 3: Money Laundering “... the Defendant knowingly used cash stolen from her employer … and purchased four (4) U.S. Postal money orders … in the total amount of $3,000.00 and deposited said money orders into Defendant’s account ...”

Count 4: Theft of Property by Embezzlement “... the Defendant stole approximately $8,037.11 … by writing checks for cash, writing checks to Defendant, making cash withdrawals and making electronic payments from the Valley Bank, Glasgow, Montana ...”

Count 5: Theft of Property by Embezzlement “... the Defendant stole approximately $14,830.00 … by depositing cash derived from FPFAC into Defendant’s personal checking account at Independence Bank, Glasgow, Montana ...”

A conviction for theft of property by embezzlement of property exceeding $1,500 carries a maximum punishment of a fine up to $50,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison. A conviction of theft exceeding $10,000 has a maximum punishment of between one to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000. A money laundering conviction could result in a fine up to $50,000 and/or a prison sentence up to 20 years.

When contacted, current FPFAC Executive Director Michelle Tade told the Courier that the board has declined to comment at this time.