The judge also told him to go to two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and do 80 hours of community service.
Woman charged for alleged pilfering of church funds
A New Hampshire woman pleaded not guilty Monday to embezzling $320,000 from a Newport Beach church for which she used to work.
Cheryl Lean Granger is charged with eight felonies, each with multiple sentencing enhancements related to the $320,000 she’s accused of stealing.
Prosecutors say that when Granger was employed as the office manager and bookkeeper for Newport Harbor Lutheran Church from September 2002 to February 2006 she forged signatures and addressed checks to her husband, their business, herself and her credit cards.
Newport Beach police are also investigating the husband’s role, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Granger will be back in court Monday for a pre-trial hearing.
Meanwhile, Newport Harbor Lutheran Church Pastor John Embree reassured his congregation that they will survive the fiscal crisis. Church leaders are working with the tax man to catch up on its debt. Much of the money was supposed to go for taxes, Embree said. Fortunately, the tax collectors have been understanding, the pastor added.
“We will survive. I think God needs a church and a ministry here,” he said.
