Former St. Theodore employee gets probation, 10 days jail time

An Austin woman was sentenced to 10 days in jail and probation for up to 20 years Thursday in Freeborn County District Court for swindling more than $40,000 from St. Theodore Catholic church and school.

Ryan Mae McFarland, 37, initially was charged with swindling almost $200,000 from the church and school. She pleaded guilty in July to two counts of theft by swindle, and seven additional counts of theft by swindle were dismissed with a plea agreement.

McFarland was given a stayed sentence of nearly two years in prison for swindling more than $35,000 from St. Theodore Catholic Church from June to December 2014 and a stayed prison sentence of about a year for swindling more than $5,000 but less than $35,000 from St. Theodore Elementary School from August 2013 to February 2015.

McFarland will serve 10 days in jail in January.

Prior to sentencing, Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said the recommended probationary sentence was consistent with a pre-sentence investigation.

The money McFarland swindled has reportedly been spent.

McFarland’s lawyer, Daniel Donnelly of Austin, said she has taken responsibility for her actions, and acknowledged she will not have fiduciary responsibilities again.

He claimed McFarland was going through a difficult time in her life at the times of the incidents.

McFarland acknowledged the effect the theft has had on her family.

“I just apologize for the harm that I caused,” she said.

District Court Judge Ross Leuning said McFarland should have used legal resources, such as requesting assistance from St. Theodore parish, to address her financial difficulty.

“They didn’t even get the chance to show their benevolence,” he said, noting his belief that McFarland stole more than money from the church.

“You stole more than just money, you stole trust,” Leuning said.

In placing McFarland on probation, Leuning said evidence was not shown to depart from the presumptive probationary sentence.

He said McFarland, who is not employed, needs to be employed so she can repay the church, and emphasized that she could face prison time if she does not meet her probation standards.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for Dec.5.

Matt Benda, lawyer for St. Theodore Catholic school and church, said the last few years have been long and difficult for the church.

“It is, however, time to end this chapter and find closure,” he said. “The Rev. (Russell) Scepaniak has spoken with numerous individuals personally and from the pulpit, and encourages forgiveness where it is needed to move forward as a Christ-centered community.”

According to court documents, the stolen money had been given to the church and school from the Diocese of Winona, parish members of the church and families with children attending the school through offerings, donations and fees.

McFarland administered payroll for all of the church employees; oversaw the health insurance, flex and pension benefits for all parish and school personnel; and counted contributions to the church. In addition, she kept the books for the church and the school and sent financial reports to the Winona Diocese on a monthly basis.