Church Bookkeeper Gets Jail Time For Embezzlement

MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) -- A former Contra Costa County church bookkeeper who pleaded no contest to stealing more than $400,000 has been sentenced to 300 days in jail.

The Contra Costa Times reports that Kathleen Dake entered her plea Thursday to five counts of grand theft by way of embezzlement, with an enhancement for taking more than $150,000.

Dake worked as a full-time bookkeeper for St. Isidore's Church in Danville from 2002 until last year. She was one of three people arrested in May for allegedly misusing a total of $600,000 in church funds.

Prosecutors say Dake used the money to pay a plastic surgeon, go shopping and repair a Porsche.

The other defendants -- Virgilio Lukban, the former facilities manager, and church volunteer Evelyn Peinado -- have pleaded not guilty to embezzlement charges.

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