Does the punishment fit the crime?
A Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to five years of probation after being convicted of embezzling $21,000 from a church where she had served as treasurer. Cheryl M. Garnett, 75, from East Deer, was also ordered to repay the stolen amount in restitution to Vermont Baptist Church in New Kensington. The court ruled that her probation would be terminated once the full restitution is made.
Garnett’s crimes were discovered last year when church leaders grew suspicious about financial discrepancies. She was charged in May 2023 after an investigation revealed that she had been writing checks and withdrawing money from the church’s bank account since 2018. As the sole person with access to the church’s bank debit card, Garnett had used it for personal withdrawals. Upon being confronted, Garnett reportedly admitted, “I guess I got a little carried away.”
In her plea deal, Garnett pleaded guilty to theft, and the charge of receiving stolen property was dismissed. She avoided a trial by accepting the guilty plea. The church, which has faced financial difficulties for years, had to stop using its building in 2014 due to structural issues and now holds services at a different location in New Kensington.
Vermont Baptist Church, a small congregation, has struggled financially, and its situation highlights a broader issue. A 2017 study found that nearly 10% of Protestant pastors reported instances of embezzlement within their churches. This case underscores the importance of safeguarding church finances to prevent misuse and maintain trust within congregations.