Action 9

Former nonprofit worker accused of embezzling at least $200,000 from organization

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal prosecutors said Susan Watson was a payroll administrator for a Charlotte nonprofit. Neither side has said which nonprofit.

But prosecutors said Watson had a scheme to "defraud," "embezzle," and "exploit" her position. Prosecutors claim Watson took other employees' and former employees' names, created pre-paid debit card accounts, loaded the nonprofit's money on the cards, activated the cards and then withdrew the money for herself. They said she stole at least $200,000.

[PAST COVERAGE: Former employee charged with embezzling $200K+ from Charlotte nonprofit]

Watson only faces one charge, wire fraud. If convicted, she could go to prison for up to 20 years.

When Action 9 asked her outside court Tuesday about the allegations, she didn't respond. Her lawyer said they didn't have a comment at that time.

Prosecutors said Watson has a pattern of theft.

They said she left the nonprofit and went to work for a local car dealership but was fired for allegedly stealing.

Now, prosecutors said Gastonia police are investigating her for possible credit card fraud.

They said she worked as a caretaker for a person in the early stages of dementia and stole $13,000 from that person.