A former treasurer of an Easton church is expected to turn herself in to police Thursday on charges she stole more than $317,000 from First Presbyterian Church over at least seven years to pay personal bills.
Police on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for Ann Marie Ballentine, 51, of the 3000 block of Oregon Street in Palmer Township, that lists charges of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
An arraignment on the charges has been scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Thursday in district court.
Court records state that church leaders told police this month that Ballentine had been stealing money instead of paying church bills since at least June 2006, the earliest the church's bank, National Penn, had photographic records. The thefts continued until October, police said.
Church leaders approached Ballentine in November and she admitted taking the money, court records state.
In a Jan. 16 interview with police, Ballentine "admitted to having taken the money for the sole purpose of paying her monthly personal bills," the affidavit states.
For nearly 10 years, Ballentine served as treasurer at First Presbyterian, 333 Spring Garden St., current treasurer Charlie Young said.
"It's a large amount of money for us," Young said of the alleged embezzlement and the pending charges. "We're torn as a Christian organization."
Young said that Ballentine, who has been a longtime member of the church, resigned as treasurer in November.
Young said the church underwent a redevelopment project about a decade ago and incurred a large debt, and although the church was meeting its financial obligations, it was a "struggle."
Ballentine worked in the Easton Area School District as a special education teacher at the 7/8 Middle School building, Superintendent John Reinhart said. "She is currently on leave and not teaching," he said in an email.
Ballentine could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
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