Woman accused of embezzling $70K from church

An Albuquerque woman faces an embezzlement charge after unauthorized financial charges worth thousands of dollars were discovered in accounts belonging to Indian Nation Baptist Church located at 417 Palomas DR SE.


According to her criminal complaint, White was the treasurer of Indian Nation Baptist Church from 2011 to 2014. She wasn’t a paid employee but a volunteer according to the church’s pastor Scott Tafoya.

During that time, the complaint says she embezzled an estimated $70,000 from the church, though Albuquerque police say that number may elevate to $90,000 before all is said and done.

The complaint says White would use the money for her own personal use, citing that unauthorized charges were made at local restaurants and grocery stores. Cash withdrawals were also made.

The complaint says White confessed to taking the money after Tafoya was phoned by the church’s bank about a check worth $210 bouncing. According to the complaint, the check was made out to a day care where one of White’s children was attending.

In 2013 alone, White’s complaint says there was a total of 63 unauthorized withdrawals/charges with a total of $42,407 lost to the Indian Nation Baptist Church.

The complaint also says White depleted a separate account for the church where money was being reserved for the church to build a new building.

Amidst it all, Tafoya says he forgives White.

“This hurts. That money was provided for us by God. But we’re praying for Misty,” he said.

White even admitted to giving money away to people going through hard times in her complaint. She also said she would like to repay the amount of money that she took.