Christ the King bookkeeper gets 2 years in prison for embezzling church funds

Heather Darrey, the former bookkeeper of Christ the King Catholic Church in South Tampa, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after admitting to embezzling more than $800,000 from church funds. The theft, which funded her personal purchases including a car and concert tickets, significantly harmed the church's finances, jeopardizing a $7 million building project and eroding trust within the congregation. U. S. District Judge Steven Merryday acknowledged the profound impact of her actions, despite her defense attorney's argument that Darrey's crime was a reaction to personal stress involving a family member's health issues.

He noted that many in the community sent letters of support, describing her as a devoted mother and wife. However, the prosecution underscored the serious breach of moral and ethical responsibility inherent in her actions, stating, "She violated the most basic moral imperative — thou shalt not steal. " The case reflects broader issues of financial accountability in community organizations and the severe consequences of financial misconduct. Assistant U. S.

Attorney Gregory Pizzo emphasized that a prison sentence was warranted due to the scale of the theft and the damage inflicted on the church. The outcome serves as a cautionary tale for financial practices within faith-based organizations.