California Church Administrator Sentenced to Over Five Years for Embezzling 360K

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A former church administrator from California is facing serious consequences after being sentenced to five years and one month in prison for embezzling approximately $360,000 from her congregation. Chanell Easton, 38, who now resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, had been found guilty earlier this year for her fraudulent activities while working at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Yuba City.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California announced the sentencing, which came as part of a comprehensive investigation into her actions. Easton had siphoned funds from multiple church accounts over five years, specifically from programs that benefitted the congregation, such as the food pantry and the youth group. Various personal expenditures—including vacations, high-end retail items, and salon visits—were charged to church credit cards, raising red flags leading back to her.

In a letter addressed to U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez prior to her sentencing, Easton expressed her remorse, citing a troubled upbringing that impacted her decisions. “I am deeply sorry for what I have done. This is not who I am,” she wrote, trying to convey her regret for the situation that unfolded.

The charges against Easton were serious—22 counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. She initially pleaded guilty to the wire fraud counts last October but maintained her innocence regarding the identity theft charges. Ultimately, following a verdict last March, she was found guilty, emphasizing the extensive nature of her fraudulent acts.

The church’s leadership was shocked when they realized the extent of the missing funds shortly after Easton departed from her administrative role. A statement from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church described the ordeal as a lengthy and frustrating process, underscoring their commitment to implementing robust systems of checks and balances to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

With her sentencing finalized, a hearing for restitution has been scheduled for November 19, ensuring that a course of action will be determined for recovering some of the funds taken from the church and its members.

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