DA asks state to investigate alleged church embezzlement

District Attorney Scott Thomas has asked the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate an "alleged embezzlement" at Garber United Methodist Church in Trent Woods.

Thomas said he is joined in the request by Craven County Sheriff Jerry Monette and Trent Woods Police Chief Mike Register.

Thomas said the church Administrative Council met Wednesday night and decided to file a formal report of the missing money with the District Attorney's Office.

Thomas said the financial crimes unit of the S.B.I. will investigate.

"The unit will work with church officials to determine how much money is missing, the person or persons responsible and where the money was placed or spent," Thomas said.

Thomas said that once the investigation is complete, he will meet with the investigators and church officials to review their findings and make a decision about any criminal charges.

Thomas said he was telephoned Wednesday night after the council met. Church leaders subsequently sent Thomas a letter asking for the investigation.

An administrator at the church resigned after she was found to have taken a large amount of money over several years, according to church officials.

Church members were told about the missing money in a letter from Garber's 2008 Administrative Council. The 19-member council oversees various church administrative duties.

The letter, dated Feb. 27, said the woman had admitted taking the money. Church leaders said at the time that they wanted restitution.

The church's pastor, Powell Osteen, said recently that arrangements had been made to take the "Christian approach" in handling the matter.

"The Christian approach is confession, repentance, restitution and restoration," Osteen said. "We are going to pursue the restitution route."

Some members of the congregation, who did not wish to be named, said Friday that a local attorney has been hired by church leaders to address the options in the matter. The attorney is not a member of the church.

Francine Sawyer can be reached at 635-5671 or at fsawyer@freedomenc.com