Former Tampa Church Bookkeeper Sentenced for $900K Embezzlement
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A trusted employee of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after embezzling nearly $900,000. Heather Darrey, 45, who served as the church’s bookkeeper for 25 years, pled guilty to wire fraud after her fraudulent activities were uncovered earlier this year.
Shock and Betrayal in the Church Community
Darrey’s long tenure and reputation as a kind and dependable staff member made the revelation particularly shocking for parishioners. “It was a complete shock—not just that it happened, but who was responsible,” said Father Len Plazewski, reflecting the community’s disbelief.
As the church’s record and finance manager, Darrey held full access to its accounting system, which allowed her to manipulate financial records and carry out her scheme undetected for months.
How the Scheme Unfolded
Darrey’s fraudulent activities began in October 2023. She generated checks for legitimate vendors but intercepted them before they were mailed. The original checks were destroyed and replaced with new ones made payable to herself for the same amounts. In the accounting system, the payments appeared legitimate, concealing her theft.
The scheme unraveled when the church’s finance department noticed irregularities in the accounting records and flagged the issue. When questioned in March 2024, Darrey admitted to taking some money but downplayed the extent of her actions. Investigators ultimately discovered she had stolen $875,323.19.
Lavish Spending Exposed
Federal authorities detailed how Darrey used the embezzled funds to finance an extravagant lifestyle. The money went toward:
- Mortgage payments and loans for a car and a boat
- Luxury vacations and dining
- High-end shopping and entertainment expenses
Her spending starkly contrasted with her modest role at the church, raising additional suspicions as the investigation progressed.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Despite her plea for the church not to involve law enforcement, officials reported the incident, leading to a federal investigation. Darrey pled guilty to wire fraud on June 6, 2024.
On November 14, she was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. The sentence underscores the seriousness of her crime and its impact on the church and its parishioners. Darrey may also face supervised release after her prison term and could be required to make restitution payments.
Father Plazewski expressed sadness over the betrayal but emphasized accountability. “This isn’t something anyone celebrates, but there are consequences for violating trust and breaking the law,” he said.
Moving Forward: Rebuilding Trust
The embezzlement has left a lasting impact on Christ the King Catholic Church. Parishioners and staff alike are grappling with feelings of betrayal and loss. To prevent similar incidents, the church is revising its financial oversight practices and implementing stricter safeguards.
“This has been a tough chapter for our community,” Father Plazewski said. “Our focus now is on healing and ensuring this never happens again.”
As Darrey begins her prison sentence, the church aims to move forward with renewed vigilance, working to rebuild trust among its members and reinforce its commitment to integrity.
