A disaster case management supervisor with Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is facing criminal charges after investigators say she quietly ran up about $13,000 in personal spending on an agency credit card. Prosecutors allege the plastic was supposed to help disaster survivors rebuild, not cover the employee’s own bills, and the case is already raising uncomfortable questions about how closely relief dollars are watched.
Charges, booking and bond
Court documents identify the defendant as 46-year-old Leah Stewart, who was arrested and booked into the Mecklenburg County jail, according to WBTV. An internal audit found $13,001.65 in charges that investigators say were never authorized. Stewart was booked on April 25, posted a $25,000 bond and was released on April 27, the station reports. She is facing criminal counts that include embezzlement and money laundering.
How investigators say it happened
According to WSOC, Stewart had been working in the charity’s disaster program since December 2024. Investigators allege the questionable card use occurred between April and June 2025. The outlet reports the agency card was used for food, hotel stays, mobile phone bills and repairs to Stewart’s personal vehicle. Those transactions were flagged during an internal review of disaster relief spending.
What investigators say the affidavit shows
An affidavit reviewed by WBTV lists specific purchases tied to the case. The document notes a witness who told police Stewart admitted using the agency card to pay for repairs on a Mercedes. Investigators say other transactions surfaced in the audit even when there was no reported admission, and prosecutors are expected to lean heavily on those records as the case moves through Mecklenburg County courts.
Why this matters for disaster relief
The disaster program at Catholic Charities is supposed to focus on survivors, not staff spending. The agency says it works to identify people’s immediate and long term needs and to connect them with housing, financial assistance and other critical services, according to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. That mission is exactly why donors and watchdogs argue that strong financial controls are non negotiable. Allegations that a supervisor used a disaster relief card for personal expenses cut directly into that trust and risk making future donors and clients think twice.
Next steps and legal exposure
Stewart’s charges will be handled in Mecklenburg County courts, and an initial appearance or arraignment is expected to follow the county’s normal filing schedule, WSOC reports. Investigators and prosecutors have not released details about upcoming hearing dates, and the charity had not issued a public statement to reporters at the time of publication. The county court docket will list the next filings and scheduled proceedings as they are added.
