A former Moses Lake School District employee has been charged with stealing more than $8,000 from the district.

EPHRATA — A former Moses Lake School District employee allegedly stole $8,443 from the district.

Adolph Enriquez, 33, Warden, is charged with theft in the first degree for reportedly using the district’s Walmart credit card to buy electronics and tools from February to April.

An accounts payable employee discovered several invoices from the Othello Walmart at the beginning of March and contacted Enriquez’s boss asking for receipts.

“We’re thankful that our checks and balances in the school district didn’t allow this to go any longer than one Accounts Receivable (receipt,)” said district superintendent Michelle Price.

The purchases included a compressor, a 115-piece socket set and a quart heater, according to a Moses Lake police report.

Enriquez worked as an assistant to Nicole M. Mackey, the district’s federal programs and assessment director.

When his boss asked about the purchases, Enriquez reportedly said they were for the schools.

Further investigation showed the items were not at any of the schools, according to the police report. By April, they discovered several more purchases.

“Mackey contacted Enriquez and inquired about the charges,” according to the police report. “He became flustered and advised he thought he had used his grandmother’s credit card. Items purchased on the card were televisions and other electronics that his grandmother was giving as gifts.”

Enriquez claimed he was carrying the card in his wallet and accidentally used it and offered to pay the money back, according to the police report. He was placed on administrative leave in April.

Price said the district was able to recover the money from Enriquez’s purchases.