Bookkeeper accused of stealing nearly $200,000 from Presbyterian church to help pay her bills
MONROE, La. (KNOE/Gray News) - A Louisiana woman has been arrested for stealing thousands of dollars from the New Iona Presbyterian Church in West Monroe.
According to court documents, the West Monroe Police Department was called to the church after officials discovered bookkeeper Joni Smith had used church funds to pay her bills of $11,498.52.
Officials say a forensic auditor discovered misappropriated spending from multiple church bank s to several of Smith’s personal s, including a personal retirement .
Police report the audit found that Smith took a total of $182,185.60 from 2022 until late 2024 from the church.
Smith has been charged with one count of theft greater than $25,000 and is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
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