A Lititz man charged with stealing nearly $22,000 in funds from an American Legion post will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing earlier this month.

Michael David Klein, of the 100 block of Leaman Street, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Joseph Stauffer on Oct. 6 on two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.

Klein, 49, is accused of failing to deposit $21,942 worth of checks belonging to the Sons of the American Legion Post 56, located in the 100 block of North Broad Street in Lititz, between February 2024 and April 2025.

Instead, police allege, Klein wrote a $1,500 check to himself from the Legion’s bank account in December 2024.

As the post’s treasurer and finance officer, Klein was the sole individual responsible for managing the organization’s funds during the time of the thefts.

Legion members told police that less than half of the money the organization had received through various fundraising efforts since February 2024, when Klein became the post’s treasurer, had been deposited into their bank account. Additionally, Legion members told police Klein had submitted multiple false financial reports with erroneous and misleading information during that time.

When confronted by Legion members Klein sent a written apology and offered to pay restitution to the post. Klein admitted to taking money from the post when he was questioned by police.

Several Legion members reported the theft to police in May and June after it was noticed that bills and donations from the organization had gone unpaid.

Klein is currently free on $35,000 unsecured bail.

Lititz Borough Police Sgt. Stephen Detz filed the charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.