Polk County Church Administrator Wanted for Arrest in Embezzlement of His Employer in Florida

FROM CHURCHSCANDALBLOGSPOT.COM


Investigators with the Polk County, Florida Sheriff's Office have issued an arrest warrant for a former church administrator who allegedly pilfered funds from his employer. Durfey was fired as church administrator after an employee found documents in his wastebasket showing suspicious ATM activity, Senior Pastor Jim Rogers said Saturday.


A former church administrator named Oliver ‘Dan' Durfey is facing a variety of charges including scheming to defraud and grand theft.

There has been a warrant issued but deputies have been unable to locate the 54-year-old so far.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the former church employee committed the alleged crimes over a 26-month period beginning in April 2010. Investigators say Durfey was employed by the First Baptist Church of Poinciana, located in Polk County.

Investigators say the suspect used church funds for personal use and obtained a debit card which Durfey used to purchase over $56,000 in goods and services.

Durfey's position in the church gave him access to two of the church's checking accounts and a savings account.

Furthermore, investigators say Mr. Durfey used church funds to pay for two booths at political venues during his campaign. Investigators say they found he is a candidate for clerk of the court in Osceola County. Durfey is one of four Republicans on Tuesday's primary ballot.

Durfey made claims on his on-line Campaign Treasurer's Report, stating he took out two personal loans totaling $10,000. The church has confirmed from bank records that indicate those particular funds came from their accounts and not the suspects.