Club official sentenced for theft

BISMARCK - In a crowded courtroom, a South Central District Court judge sentenced former Bismarck High School Demonettes Booster Club treasurer Melissa Weltz to three years of suspended prison time for stealing nearly $18,000 from the dance team.
Prior to the sentencing, Judge Thomas Schneider heard from parents, club officials and Demonettes members, who testified Friday on how Weltz’s theft hurt them.
Bismarck High School senior Katie Ebach said that, when news of the embezzlement came out, students and teachers bullied and harassed her and other members of the dance team. She testified that one teacher, who was looking for some money, asked Ebach, “Don’t you have an extra 10 grand I can use?”
At events where the Demonettes were performing, audience members would chant, “Where’s the money?”
“It was mortifying,” Ebach said Friday. “This community looks at us differently now.”
Jennifer Holwegner, a Demonettes varsity coach, said she had to deal with the stress of not only competing at tournaments, but defending and comforting “22 worried and stressed girls.”
Curt Benz, vice president of the Demonettes Booster Club, said that, when measured in the team’s “famous popcorn balls,” Weltz stole the equivalent of 4,475 popcorn balls, made from ingredients purchased at parent expense and sold by team members at events all year long.
The team has seen donations reduced and others lost as a result of Weltz’s actions, as would-be sponsors voiced fears of that money “going into a parent’s pocket,” according to Benz.
Justin Vinje, Weltz’s attorney, did not dispute his client’s wrongdoing.
“She should have gone out and gotten a loan. I don’t know why she didn’t. She made a terrible decision,” said Vinje, going on to characterize the action as one made in desperation as Weltz’s husband had a failing business and the family had two vehicles repossessed.
Vinje said Weltz falsely thought she could loan herself the money then return it before anyone noticed, according to Vingje, who said that, since the allegations of Weltz’s theft emerged, she has been subject to harassment in public, including people demanding to know where she had the money.
“She’s broken down crying in my office,” Vinje said.
The attorney said the Demonettes did not miss any tournaments as a result of the theft.
“None of the children missed any events,” said Vinje, adding that Weltz had repaid $12,500 and would work to repay the outstanding $5,000.
Weltz also admitted fault.
“I let the girls down. I let the community down. I let my family down,” she said.
Justin Schwarz, the Burleigh County assistant state’s attorney prosecuting the case, disputed Vinje’s characterization of Weltz.
“In listening to Mr. Vinje, it sounds like his client is the victim today,” Schwarz said.
Schneider, too, was critical of Weltz.
“It’s hard to reconcile what you did to this organization, why you did it,” the judge said.
Schneider agreed with the state’s sentencing recommendation, and told Weltz that she would be under supervised probation for the duration of her suspended sentence, with any violation potentially leading to her being resentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
“You made a choice in your life here, Ms. Weltz. You stole from people who trusted you,” Schneider said.