Grand jury indicts woman in case of church embezzlement
temple-telegram.com | 5/15/08 | Paul Romer
BELTON - A Bell County grand jury indicted a 40-year-old woman Wednesday on charges related to the embezzlement of more than $60,000 from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Killeen.
Charlene Smith, parish administrator at St. Christopher’s, said the woman listed in the indictment, Paula Cecil, was a former administrative assistant at the church who was fired in January.
The two-count indictment alleges that from April 2007 until January 2008 Ms. Cecil cashed or deposited 95 checks from the church ranging from $20 to $1,480. All of the checks were purported to be signed by Paul Moore, who Ms. Smith said is the minister at the church.
In January, Ms. Smith said the church found out from bank officials about funds allegedly being applied inappropriately. The congregation was informed about the alleged embezzlement back in January. “They’re going to be very happy to see that the wheels of justice are continuing to turn,” Ms. Smith said.
The official charge against Ms. Cecil is misapplication of fiduciary property more than $20,000, which is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Ms. Cecil worked for the church for 18 months, Ms. Smith said.