If you pursue a career in religious ministry, the public holds you to a higher standard of behavior than that to which they hold themselves. Therefore, if a clergy member gets accused of a financial crime, you can expect more of a media circus than you would get if the defendant were simply another broke chump who fell for the temptation of having access to large amounts of money and gaining someone’s trust. Despite this, the same right of due process applies to a clergy member accused of defrauding a parishioner or congregation as to an employee accused of defrauding the company for which he or she works or a charming single mother accused of defrauding a lonely elderly man. The court cannot convict you unless the prosecution convinces the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty, although your employer can take disciplinary action against you sooner than that.
If you are facing financial crime charges in the context of your church job, contact a Texas white-collar crime lawyer.
Church Minister Faces Charges for Third-Degree Fraud
A court in Texas issued an indictment in December 2024 against a clergy member at an Episcopal church. The defendant is facing charges of third-degree fraud, theft of more than $300,000, and credit card abuse, but as the investigation continues, prosecutors may also file additional charges against him.
The church that employed the defendant alerted law enforcement about his alleged misconduct. The church placed him on administrative leave in August 2024. He resigned from several leadership positions he held in the church community and in the diocese shortly thereafter. The criminal complaint filed in November told of the defendant told of the defendant stealing money from the church’s funds and directly from parishioners and using the credit card issued to him by the church for unauthorized purchases.
Reasonable Doubt About Financial Misconduct by a Clergy Member
In a case about financial crime at a church or anywhere else, the prosecutors must prove to the jury that the transactions in question occurred, that the defendant made the transactions or instructed others to make them, and that the defendant knew that the transactions would cause financial harm to the legal owner of the account, in this case, the church. The defendant might cast doubt on his guilt by persuading the jury that he reasonably believed that his employer had instructed him to make the transactions. He might show that the financial misconduct was in the context of a conspiracy and that his role in the conspiracy was smaller than what the prosecution alleges. If you can cast doubt on any aspect of the prosecution’s case against you, this can result in your acquittal of some or all of the charges.
Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC About Criminal Defense Cases
A Dallas criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing criminal charges involving allegations of financial crime in the context of a church job. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, in Dallas, Texas, to discuss your case.