Woman Faces Theft, Fraud Charges for Stealing From Vero Beach Church
The church is supposed to be a holy place, but it is not immune from criminal activity. Those who work within the church often engage in financial crimes. A Catholic parish in Florida was no exception.
A former administrator of a Florida Catholic parish has pleaded no contest to charges of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. A no contest plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts conviction based on the prosecution’s evidence.
Prosecutors alleged that Deborah True and the late Father Richard Murphy embezzled nearly $1.5 million from the parish between 2015 and 2020. Murphy, who served as pastor for nearly 23 years, died in March 2020 at the age of 80. True turned herself in to the Indian River County Jail in Vero Beach in September 2022.
True was later charged with fraud and theft and entered a no contest plea to first-degree grand theft in Florida circuit court on May 1. She now faces up to 10 years in prison and 20 years of probation. She must also repay approximately $700,000 in restitution. She will be required to make monthly payments or risk returning to prison.
After a nine-month investigation, investigators found that True and Murphy had funneled parishioner donations into a hidden bank account under the church’s name, which was concealed from the Diocese of Palm Beach. No legal action has been taken against Murphy due to his death. True was Murphy’s longtime secretary and caregiver.
Understanding Church Fraud
Using church money for personal reasons is stealing. Even when a person promises to return the funds, it is still theft, which is a crime.
Church fraud is common among bookkeepers, treasurers, ushers, and others involved in the finances of a church. Church fraud tends to take place over a long period of time. It often involves small sums stolen intermittently, and for that reason, it can be difficult to detect.
Most fraud occurs for one of these reasons:
- No internal controls. Without proper internal controls, there is an opportunity. Churches need to have procedures in place for handling money.
- Financial pressure. The embezzler is broke and needs money for some reason.
- An embezzler may think they deserve the money, or they may consider it borrowing instead of stealing.
- Exposure to funds in an unsupervised environment. There is temptation to steal and not get caught.
Contact Us Today
Stealing from a church comes with criminal charges and penalties. It’s important to understand your next steps and options.
A theft attorney from Hollander & Hanuka is here to help you navigate the legal system and defend your rights. We provide strong and effective defense and legal strategies to help you obtain a positive outcome. To schedule a consultation today, give us a call at (239) 332-3300.
Source:
catholicnewsagency.com/news/263949/former-parish-administrator-faces-decade-in-prison-for-700-dollars-000-cents-theft-from-florida-parish
