Andrew Moss, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Andrew J. Moss, 37, of Grand Island, the former director of St. Pauls Lutheran Church Early Learning Center, pleaded guilty Monday, April 29, to felony theft by unlawful taking.
As part of the plea agreement, Moss must pay $148,235 in restitution. Money that Moss took was used to pay off gambling debt, according to a Grand Island Police Department probable cause statement.
Moss also was ordered to complete five years of probation and spend 90 days in jail. While he is in jail, he is eligible for work release.
Moss appeared in court Monday with his attorney, Elizabeth Klingelhoefer of Kearney. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein is the prosecuting attorney and was not available for comment after the 30-minute court hearing. District Judge Morgan Farquhar of Hastings is presiding over the case. He is assigned to the 10th Judicial District, which covers eight counties including Adams County.
Moss faced up to 20 years in prison for the Class IIA felony charge.
Farquhar set a sentencing date of 2 p.m. July 10. He said he would look at that time at how much Moss had paid so far in restitution.
Moss’ attorney said he has been attending counseling sessions. Farquhar continued Moss’ bond, which is set at 10 percent of $4,500. Farquhar ordered Moss not to have any contact with Cornerstone Early Learning Center personnel, not to engage in gambling, and not to be in a location where gambling is available. The Early Learning Center has a preschool and daycare center.
Klein presented the Nov. 22, 2023, Grand Island Police Department probable cause statement as the factual basis for the case.
According to the probable cause statement:
On Oct. 2, 2023, staff from St. Pauls Lutheran Church Early Learning Center filed a theft report with Grand Island police.
“Board members of Cornerstone were alerted by their financial institution that their bank account was at a negative balance,” the probable cause statement said.
An investigation took place that focused on Moss, who had served as the full-time director of the center since April 2021 and had his duties end on Oct. 2, 2023.
Early Learning Center staff said that the balance sheets that Moss provided showed that their account balance was more than $200,000. However, the account balance was negative. Staff, working with their accountant, reviewed financial records and found “numerous suspicious transactions to include over $50,000 in ATM withdrawals as well as over $97,000 in VISA gift card purchases” during Moss’ tenure as director.
It was also discovered that Cornerstone Early Learning Center board members had purchased $3,600 in gift cards that were supposed to be given to teachers and staff in August and December 2022.
“Staff reported that they never received any gift cards, and they believe Andrew took the gift cards for himself,” the probable cause statement said.
Police Investigator Bryce Collamore conducted extensive investigation into Moss’ financial accounts to include his online wagering accounts. It was found that nearly all of the gift cards purchased using Cornerstone’s debit card were immediately transferred to one of Moss’ online wagering accounts. It was also discovered that deposits were made into Moss’ personal banking accounts that were similar or exact amounts of the ATM withdrawals.
The probable cause statement said that Moss took more than $150,000 from Cornerstone Learning Center.
“This investigation is currently under investigation, and it is believed that the amount will rise,” the probable cause statement said.
