Former Lutheran Social Services of Nevada CEO and ex-wife, charged with theft, claim the bankrupt nonprofit owes them money

What happened

Tim Bedwell, the former CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, and his ex-wife, who now goes by Michele Mosey, say the nonprofit owes them more than $100,000, according to their divorce decree, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Both have been charged with felony theft in connection with the organization.

On Friday, prosecutors announced that a grand jury had indicted Bedwell and Mosey each on a felony theft charge, accusing them of defrauding the nonprofit. Bedwell is a former North Las Vegas police lieutenant and spokesman, the Review-Journal reported.

What the divorce decree says

The decree, filed in District Court on Sept. 9, says Bedwell is entitled to $57,100 from the organization. It says Mosey and an unnamed business partner are entitled to $80,000. After fees for the attorney representing their business, Mosey and the partner would split the rest, and Mosey would give half of her portion to Bedwell.

According to the decree, Bedwell expected his payout after the sale of the nonprofit's headquarters on Boulder Highway. That sale fell through, and the remaining board members filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 4.

Former finance chief pushes back

Jon Paul, who served as a part-time chief financial officer in 2025, including several months without pay, called the payment claims "outrageous" in comments to the Review-Journal. "What is their support for how they are owed this much money?" he asked.

The bankruptcy case

Bankruptcy trustee Troy Fox told the Review-Journal his understanding is that Bedwell, 68, submitted a claim to the board for wages not paid before he left. Board members have said in a statement that he was fired. Fox said Mosey's claim relates to money she says she is owed for services, and that both will have to provide proof.

Fox said he is following the indictment and any information from the district attorney that could point to claims the bankruptcy court has against the Bedwells. He is also evaluating offers from parties interested in buying the building.

Payments in the year before the filing

A bankruptcy document says Bedwell was paid $113,100 by the organization in the year before the September filing. Mosey and her company, Hi-Tek Media, were paid $42,300, and her business partner was paid $51,200, the document states.

How the nonprofit got here

Several board members and key staff resigned in September 2024 after learning that Mosey and her business partner were each being paid $8,500 a month, the Review-Journal reported. Bedwell has said board members knew or should have known about the payments and that the two did fundraising and other work. The organization suspended operations in October 2025.

The nonprofit ran a food pantry and offered rent assistance and other social services, and it still handed out food occasionally earlier this year. It was funded by donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars in government grants. The Lutheran Church, with which it was loosely affiliated, has largely cut ties. More local nonprofit coverage is on our community page.

Where the criminal case stands

District Judge Tierra Jones on Friday set cash-only bail of $60,400 for each defendant, about the amount of the alleged theft, and ordered electronic monitoring. As of Monday evening, both remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, according to jail records cited by the Review-Journal.

Craig Mueller, Mosey's attorney, has filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, saying his firm did not get notice that the state planned to seek one, so his client could not present evidence or testimony. He has also asked that Mosey, 62, be released on her own recognizance or given reasonable bail, citing deep community ties. Follow related court coverage in our public safety section.

What to watch next

• Mosey is due in court on Nov. 23 for a hearing on her motions to dismiss the indictment and to be released on her own recognizance or given reasonable bail.
• Bedwell and Mosey must provide proof to support their payment claims in the bankruptcy case.
• Trustee Troy Fox is evaluating offers to buy the nonprofit's Boulder Highway building.
• Fox is watching for information from the district attorney that could support bankruptcy claims against the Bedwells.