Pastor charged with stealing $135K from church, using it on sports betting, food delivery

Michie · Monday at 10:10 AM

A Maryland pastor has been charged with stealing approximately $135,000 from his church, with him allegedly using the funds on sports betting and food deliveries.

Daniel Champ, 42, is charged with theft of over $135,000 and embezzlement from First Baptist Church of Hartford County, CBS News affiliate WJZ-TV reported last week.

According to authorities, Champ is slated for a court appearance later this month and has been removed from the church’s account. He has also been ordered to leave his residence on the church’s property.

Continued below.

Pastor charged with stealing $135K from church, using it on sports betting, food delivery

A Maryland pastor has been charged with stealing approximately 135,000 from his church, with him allegedly using the funds on sports betting and food deliveries

www.christianpost.com

chevyontheriver · Monday at 2:09 PM

Michie said:
A Maryland pastor has been charged with stealing approximately $135,000 from his church, with him allegedly using the funds on sports betting and food deliveries.

Daniel Champ, 42, is charged with theft of over $135,000 and embezzlement from First Baptist Church of Hartford County, CBS News affiliate WJZ-TV reported last week.

According to authorities, Champ is slated for a court appearance later this month and has been removed from the church’s account. He has also been ordered to leave his residence on the church’s property.

Continued below.

Pastor charged with stealing $135K from church, using it on sports betting, food delivery

A Maryland pastor has been charged with stealing approximately 135,000 from his church, with him allegedly using the funds on sports betting and food deliveries

www.christianpost.com

This is more common than one would think, among Catholic or Protestant or other clergy. Every congregation needs to audit their books.

seeking.IAM · Monday at 4:13 PM

chevyontheriver said:
Every congregation needs to audit their books.

Even more than that, congregations need to have internal controls set up like other not-for-profits. At least two people counting the plate, one person making reconciled deposits. Two people approving every check/bill paid. Monthly financial reports w/ Finance Committee oversight. An annual audit. Clergy never touches the money, other than an approved clergy discretionary fund.

chevyontheriver · Monday at 4:22 PM

seeking.IAM said:
Even more than that, congregations need to have internal controls set up like other not-for-profits. At least two people counting the plate, one person making reconciled deposits. Two people approving every check/bill paid. Monthly financial reports w/ Finance Committee oversight. An annual audit. Clergy never touches the money, other than an approved clergy discretionary fund.

It's not just clergy who steal. It needs to be multiple people all safegarding each other.

I was once put in charge of auditing a co-op. First audit in ages. And sadly I dug through the receipts and accounts to discover we were very very insolvent. No fraud, but totally unaware spending. The place had to close.

All Becomes New · Monday at 5:45 PM

1 Peter 4:17
"For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?"

If you are against the Lord purifying you, through fire, beware that He does not say, "I never knew you."

RileyG · Monday at 6:06 PM

seeking.IAM said:
Even more than that, congregations need to have internal controls set up like other not-for-profits. At least two people counting the plate, one person making reconciled deposits. Two people approving every check/bill paid. Monthly financial reports w/ Finance Committee oversight. An annual audit. Clergy never touches the money, other than an approved clergy discretionary fund.

Agreed.

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Pastor charged with stealing $135K from church, using it on sports betting, food delivery

Michie

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