WASHBURN – Rev. Erin Gullickson, Benedict, made her initial appearance on a Theft of Property charge in South Central District Court Wednesday.
Gullickson, who on February 17 was suspended by the Western North Dakota Synod from her duties at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Max and Concordia Lutheran Church in Benedict, is accused of depositing funds into an account unknown to the Max church and then withdrawing nearly $80,000 for personal expenditures.
McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson told Judge Bobbi Weiler that Gullickson was not a flight risk and that no bond was necessary. Weiler agreed, setting a pretrial conference for August 15 and setting aside trial dates Aug. 24-25.
If found guilty of the Class B felony, Gullickson faces the possibility of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.