Former St. Francis of Assisi University Parish Employee Charged with Wire Fraud

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former administrative assistant at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa has been charged with embezzling money from the church, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

A one-count Information filed this week in United States District Court charges Kristen Marie Battocletti, 35, with one count of wire fraud.

According to the Information, Battocletti engaged in a scheme to defraud St. Francis of Assisi University Parish from April to October 2023. St. Francis is part of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham. Battocletti stole approximately $300,000 from St. Francis, using the funds to purchase more than $220,000 in TikTok Coins and to pay personal expenses.  Battocletti used the TikTok Coins to send digital gifts to TikTok content creators.

According to the plea agreement, also filed this week, Battocletti has agreed to plead guilty to the charge. The Court will set a date for Battocletti to enter her guilty plea. 

The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Canter is prosecuting the case.

An Information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.