She was caught and is being sentenced.
A Florida woman, Heather Darrey, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for embezzling over $875,000 from the church where she worked as a finance and records manager. Darrey, a Tampa resident, used her position to transfer large sums of money from the church’s business account into her personal accounts over several months. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida confirmed the sentence, which also included a court order for Darrey to forfeit the full amount she stole. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Tampa Police Department.
Darrey’s actions were discovered after she manipulated the church’s accounting system to cover up her theft. While initial estimates put the amount stolen at around $775,000, further investigation revealed that the true figure exceeded $875,000. She spent the embezzled funds on personal expenses such as paying off loans, clothing, concert tickets, and vacations. The theft occurred between October 2023 and March 2024, during a construction project at the church that may have helped conceal her actions.
Rev. Leonard J.M. Plazewski, the pastor of Christ the King Church, expressed feelings of betrayal over the theft, noting that many parishioners were deeply hurt by the discovery that someone they trusted had committed the crime. He described it as a violation akin to a family member stealing, which caused significant emotional distress within the congregation. The church reassured the public that no personal information of parishioners had been compromised.
Darrey pleaded guilty to wire fraud in June and faced the possibility of up to 20 years in prison, along with a large fine. Her defense attorney argued that her actions were influenced by personal stress, specifically a family member’s medical issues, and requested a lighter sentence. In his sentencing memo, the attorney emphasized Darrey’s role as a mother and wife, expressing remorse for her actions and suggesting that the public shame she endured was punishment enough.
The case highlights the breach of trust within a religious institution and the lengths to which someone in a position of responsibility can go to conceal illegal activities. It also reflects the ongoing efforts of authorities to address financial crimes and hold individuals accountable for embezzlement, particularly when it involves significant amounts of money taken from trusted organizations.