
Andrew Moss, Courtesy
GRAND ISLAND — The former director of St. Pauls Lutheran Church’s Cornerstone Early Learning Center has pleaded innocent in Hall County District Court to taking more than $150,000 from the preschool/day care center.
Andrew Moss, 37, of Grand Island is charged with felony theft by unlawful taking. His next appearance in Hall County District Court is at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 24.
According to a probable cause statement from the Grand Island Police Department, Moss deposited the money into online wagering accounts and personal banking accounts.
Moss was hired as the full-time director of Cornerstone Early Learning Center in April 2021 and was relieved of his duties on Oct. 2, 2023.
According to the probable cause statement:
Cornerstone Early Learning Center staff said that from balance sheets that Moss provided, it showed that the Center’s balance was more than $200,000. However, the actual account balance was negative. On Oct. 2, 2023, Center staff filed a theft report with the Grand Island Police Department. Board members were alerted by their bank that their bank account was at a negative balance. An investigation took place that focused on Moss.
Staff, working with their accountant, looked through their 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.” Staff also advised that Moss had no reason to withdraw anywhere near than that amount from an ATM.
It was also found that $3,600 in gift cards were to be dispersed to staff in August and December of 2022. “Staff reported that they never received any gift cards, and they believe Moss took the gift cards for himself,” the probable cause statement said.
Police Investigator Bryce Collamore conducted an extensive investigation into Moss’ financial accounts to include his associated 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 found that there were deposits into Moss’ personal banking accounts that were similar, if not the exact amount, of the ATM withdrawals,” the probable cause statement said.
Moss is charged with felony Theft by Unlawful Taking, more than $5,000, a Class II felony, for taking more than $150,000 from Cornerstone Early Learning Center.
“It is believed that this amount will rise,” the probable cause statement said.