CENTREVILLE – A woman charged with two counts of embezzlement has waived her preliminary hearing.

59 year old Centreville Village Treasurer Carol Kotschevar waived her preliminary hearing Tuesday morning in St. Joseph County District Court. Judge Jeffrey Middleton read the charges filed against Kotschevar. The first is embezzlement of $20,000 or more from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Centreville. The second is embezzlement of $20,000 or more from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Colon.

Middleton explained that both of these charges are felonies and are punishable by up to 10 years in prison each. Kotschevar was arrested March 5, and then released on a personal recognizance bond on March 6. The matter will be moved on to St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Middleton explained that Kotschevar and her attorney Kurt Richardson are working with St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin to see if they can come to a resolution on this matter.

Middleton says if no resolution can be reached, then Kotschevar can have a trial in Circuit Court.