Former Official Admits Stealing Church Funds
The former treasurer of a New Hampshire church pleaded guilty in Boston to charges that he stole $1.6 million from the church during a six-year period and left it with less than $100 in its accounts.
At a U.S. District Court hearing, Ross Perry, 43, acknowledged that he embezzled the money from the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Portsmouth, where he was treasurer from 1995 to 2002.
Perry pleaded guilty to one count each of federal mail fraud and federal wire fraud, plus six counts of federal income tax evasion and one count of failing to file employer tax returns on behalf of his company.
He faces up to 41 years in prison and up to $2.1 million in fines when he is sentenced in July.
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