Monday, April 27, 2009

Florida Woman Pleads Guilty In $1 Million Church Embezzlement Case

Karen Raborn, 51, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, pleaded no contest to charges she embezzled nearly $1 million from St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church where she worked as a bookkeeper. In return for her plea agreement, Raborn was sentenced to six years in prison, plus restitution. According to prosecutors, Raborn admitted that she stole from $500 to $1,000 each week from the church's regular collections. She also reportedly stole from the proceeds of a recent church community festival. Raborn as the church bookkeeper from 1995 to the end of 2006 when she handled the funds for the church festival and $19,000 came up missing. After the thefts came to light, Raborn attempted suicide and left a note for her two daughters and husband that stated, in part, "Mommy has made some terrible mistakes, and I have sinned in many ways...I have been to confession and know that God has forgiven me and hope you and the girls can forgive me someday also." Raborn was originally charged in November 2007 with "organized fraud" and grand theft.

Read the story here and here.

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