A 72-year-old Indiana woman will spend two years in federal prison after transferring nearly $574,000 from a Catholic church and its associated school into her personal accounts for gambling and a month’s vacation.
The Justice Department announced Monday that Marie Carson, of Indianapolis, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after 13 years of handling money as a parish business manager. FOX 59 Indianapolis identified the parish as St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and School.
Carson was the sole staff member responsible for processing checks received from parishioners and conducting financial transactions on behalf of the church and school for more than a decade, according to court documents. From 2008 to 2021, he illegally transferred at least $573,836.59.
The Justice Department said the actual monetary loss is likely to be much higher, since Carson admitted to church officials that he began his scheme in 2004.
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A Google Earth image shows the exterior of Saint Matthew Catholic Church and School in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Google Earth)
The theft came to light in November 2021 when Carson was on leave from his position, and his temporary replacement noticed suspicious transfers from the parish’s gaming account to an outside bank account, according to the Justice Department.
Further investigation of the transactions led to the discovery of more than $289,000 moved to various accounts, including a phantom account in the church’s name.
Carson was reportedly able to maintain the scheme for so long because he was making false entries in a database used by the parish to track payments.
The DOJ said Carson and her husband used a “significant amount of money” for casino gaming and a month-long annual vacation to Florida.
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A row of slot machines inside a casino. (iStock)
“For more than thirteen years, this defendant abused her position of trust to embezzle money from parishioners for a church and a school,” said Zachary A. Myers, US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “His greed for her and her desire for lavish vacations outweighed her interest in following the dictates of our criminal laws and her church’s teaching, ‘thou shalt not steal.'”
Myers added that his sentence sends a “clear message” to those who are considering stealing, defrauding and embezzling.
“We will find him, he will be prosecuted and he will be held accountable,” Myers concluded.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Indianapolis Herbert J. Stapleton said Carson’s plan was “driven by sheer greed” and that she abused trust to line her own pockets. Stapleton also said that her cheating ultimately landed her behind bars despite the possible short-term benefits.
Inside a courtroom with gavel in full view. (iStock)
In 2022, St. Matthew Rev. Msgr. William F. Stumpf informed St. parishioners about the theft, FOX 59 reported. His letter read in part:
“Upon discovery of the theft, we enacted new internal accounting controls to ensure all funds are protected. We have Fidelity insurance to cover losses from fraud and theft, and have received payment to cover the documented loss. It is with deep sadness report that these serious events have occurred.”
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In addition to his sentence, Carson will be on probation for two years after his release from prison. She must also pay the amount for which she was convicted of robbery in restitution.
