Colorado Pastor Under Investigation For Embezzling $400K From Church

Rev. Donald Armstrong, pastor at Grace Church & St. Stephen's in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is suspected of embezzling some $400,000 from the church. Police raided the church last week seizing computers and financial records as part of the investigation. The criminal investigation is reportedly unrelated to the apparent schism with the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado in Denver over the ordination of gay priests and was commenced before the factions split in March 2007. In August 2007, the Diocese filed a civil suit against the church and Armstrong, alleging the theft and an ecclesiastical court representing the diocese convicted Armstrong of stealing the money and filing a false tax return. Unfortunately, these actions carry no legal teeth, but did prompt the criminal investigation.

Read the story here, here and here.

Read Armstrong's letter to the flock here.

Update (9/20/10): Armstrong, now 61, pleaded "no contest" to the 20 theft counts he was indicted on last year.