Nikki Shelton, the chief financial officer of Bethlehem First United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, Georgia, stand accused of embezzling $78,000 from the church.
A Loganville woman was arrested in Barrow County for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her church in Bethlehem.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said 28-year-old Nikki Shelton was writing checks to herself from various accounts of the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church.
Church members were emotionally broadsided to learn Shelton, the church’s Chief Financial Officer, had been arrested for allegedly stealing approximately $80,000 from the church.
“Well, I’m concerned, anyone would be. It’s a lot of money,” said church member Bonnie Deal.
Deal and others headed to choir practice Wednesday night were surprised and disheartened to learn of the arrest of Shelton.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said church leaders contacted him about a week and a half ago after finding financial discrepancies.
“What we have confirmed is she was simply writing checks to herself out of the accounts,” said Sheriff Smith.
The sheriff said his investigation revealed Shelton had been writing checks to herself for about 13 months.
“Easily. You do a thousand dollars at a time you could do it at $78,000 if that’s the case,” said Sheriff Smith.
The sheriff said Shelton is facing 78 counts of theft by taking, one count for each check written.
Most church members were reluctant to speak. Others in Bethlehem, which has its Prayer Mile and Christmas themed streets, wondered about the loss of trust.
“It’s sad you can’t trust somebody in charge of a church,” said Alan Heath who works at the Big H store near the church.
“They probably all know her and they’re gonna probably look at her and say wow I can’t believe this I can’t believe this,” said Betlehem resident Lawrence Moon.
….
Now I can’t get the image of the Hamburglar nipping into a church and sneaking away with wads of cash out of my head. I’m not sure people usually turn up in stereotypical burglar kit to commit embezzlement!
I’m gobsmacked by the amount of funds these churches have. Though I haven’t been a church-goer for decades, I clearly remember the church I attended struggling to keep the lights and heat on when energy costs spiked in the 1970’s. No, we were NOT a “poor” congregation; costs spiked so rapidly it simply drained the operating fund faster than the offering plate receipts refilled it. But even in the good times, we never had more than about $1000 above monthly expenses in operational accounts. Anything more was given to outreach, missions or local charities. We did have a building fund, but it was always in a savings account, not checking.