FLORIDA: Tallahassee parish bookkeeper charged with grand theft, money laundering
Episcopal News Service. February 22, 2008 [022208-03]
Lisa B. Hamilton, Correspondent for Episcopal Life Media in Provinces I and IV
The bookkeeper for Episcopal Church of the Advent in Tallahassee, Florida, turned herself into the Leon County sheriff on February 21 on charges of embezzling approximately $512,000 from the parish, according to The Tallahassee Democrat.
Investigators say Rosanne Stone, 50, stole funds from three church accounts over four years. She was charged with grand theft and money laundering.
In December 2007, an accountant found discrepancies while conducting the church's first audit in a decade. Church officials first questioned Stone on December 19. According to the sheriff's office, Stone rented three storage bins to store antiques, jewelry and home furnishings purchased with the funds on the auctioneering website eBay.
Episcopal Diocese of Florida officials declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.