Prosecutors say a former assistant Saginaw Township fire chief embezzled at least $100,000 from a Saginaw church.
George W. Pike, 70, is charged with embezzling more than $100,000, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and two other felonies.
His arrest warrant alleges he embezzled money from the trust fund of St. John Lutheran Church, 915 Federal in downtown Saginaw, from early 2011 through 2015.
Pike served as the church's council president, according to a report from WJRT, ABC 12.
St. John Lutheran is one of Saginaw's oldest churches, having been founded in 1852. It belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Prosecutors on Thursday, Feb. 11, issued the embezzlement charge as well as single counts of forgery and uttering and publishing a forged check with intent to defraud. Those two charges carry 14-year maximum penalties.
Pike, who lives in Saginaw Township, turned himself in to authorities on Friday, and Saginaw County District Judge M.T. Thompson arraigned him. The judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and ordered him held on a $25,000 or 10 percent bond.
Pike posted that bond through Kozy Bail Bonds and remains free. He is scheduled for a March 4 preliminary hearing before District Judge Kyle Higgs Tarrant.
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