A Florida church secretary was arrested Monday on charges that she spent over $20,000 of the church's money on personal purchases.
Linda Bischoff was employed by Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Port Charlotte, Florida until June 2013, when she quit due to reduced hours. Her replacement discovered the financial inaccuracies in the church's books.
Investigators say Bischoff, 61, spent over $18,000 at Sam's Club, over $1,000 at Ace Hardware, nearly $2,000 at Home Depot, and over $500 at Staples. The purchases were paid for with the church's credit card. She also wrote over $2,000 worth of checks payable to herself. Pastor Matthew Newmann also accused Bischoff of stealing petty cash from his church.
Bischoff allegedly bought a television, clothes, food, and household items with the credit card, but in the church's records, it stated that the items were for the children's ministry, Joyful Noise Early Education & Day Care, and other church services. An investigation into the missing funds began in July 2013.
The church hired an auditor to review the books, and contacted the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes unit. The investigators worked with church leaders, the stores where Bischoff shopped, and the accounting firm to identify Bischoff as the culprit.
Upon being confronted with the charges, Bischoff cried and confessed. She also offered to pay back the funds, in $50 increments.
Bischoff, of Punta Gorda, was charged with grand theft of more than $20,000 but less than $100,000, and scheme to defraud, obtaining property of $20,000 to $50,000. She is being held in the Charlotte County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
