James Franklin Powell, 34, of Marion Station, faces several criminal charges, including embezzlement, theft and theft scheme in connection with an investigation started last month, police said.
On Nov. 30, state troopers began a theft investigation involving Quindocqua United Methodist Church on LQ Powell Road in Marion Station. Police said the church was notified by PNC Bank that its account was in the negative.
Investigators were informed that James Franklin Powell was the church treasurer and had been in that position since 2004. Police said PNC Bank supplied the church with several copies of checks that were written to Powell for several thousand dollars. Powell denied writing the checks, police said, although he was the only person in possession of the church’s checkbook.
Subpoenas were issued for the church’s PNC Bank records, police said. A review of those records showed over 23 fraudulent transactions were made from the church’s bank account between April 3 and November 13, totaling a loss of $16,972.
Police said video surveillance was also obtained which showed Powell cashing several of the church’s checks that were made out to hims for several thousand dollars. Further review of the church’s bank account showed that Powell had made numerous payments to his Chase Visa Credit Card and American Express Credit Card, police said.
Powell later confessed to stealing the money from the church, police said.
No comments:
Post a Comment