Philadelphia Man Charged With Embezzling Thousands From Montco Church
By Brad Segall
TYLERSPORT, Pa. (CBS) -- Authorities in Montgomery County have arrested a church bookkeeper, charging him with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the house of worship.
Police say James Moody was hired by the Victory Fellowship Church in Lower Providence Township in late 2010, but soon after he started working he directed the church's payroll company to deposit money in his accounts, even though the church was paying him directly.
Over two years, police say, he stole more than $156,000 and is now facing theft and related charges.
Montgomery County DA Risa Ferman says their investigation also found that Moody committed multiple counts of identity theft.
"It is our belief that Mr. Moody provided false information so that he could misdirect them and so that they would not find out about a prior conviction here in Montgomery County," Ferman said today.
The DA says the 47-year-old Philadelphia man spent time behind bars in Montgomery County for stealing more than $21,000 while he was controller of the county's nonprofit Special Olympics organization.
Moody is being held in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.
