Former ECHO Housing Director Pleads to Theft Charges

The former executive director of ECHO Housing pleads guilty to theft charges.

Stephanie TenBarge was indicted by a federal rand jury in February of 2019.

Prosecutors say she made unauthorized payments to herself, and used ECHO funds to purchase personal goods and services and that she used ECHO checks to pay her property taxes.

In a statement issued after the guilty plea became known, succeeding director Chris Metz said ECHO appreciates that its former director is taking responsibility for her actions, so closure can begin.