Friday, December 17, 2010

Former Bookkeeper for California Church Accused of Embezzling $2.1 Million

Sandra "Sandy" Arreola, 51, currently of Palm Desert, California, has been charged with embezzling some $2.1 million from the Visalia First Assembly Of God church where she had been employed as accounting manager for nearly 13 years. According to authorities, Arreloa skimmed monies from the church over a period of seven years, from 2003 until 2009 when the scheme was revealed. She allegedly stole as much as $7,000 a week from the collections and used the money to enrich herself, purchase luxury property and businesses.

Read the story here, here and here.

Update (10/10/11): Arreola, now 52, pleaded guilty Friday to 13 counts of felony embezzlement and money laundering, admitting she embezzled some $2.1 million from the Visalia First Assembly of God church where she had served as accounting manager.  Arreola faces up to 11 years in prison.  She must also make full restitution, according to the plea agreement.

Update (10/27/11): Arreola was sentenced to 11 years in prison with credit for time served. 

1 comment:

Nile said...

I wonder if she wanted to be a bookkeeper to get the church's money.