NW Alabama Church Secretary Steals Thousands From Church

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (AP) – The former financial secretary at a church has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $130,000 from a congregation in northwest Alabama.

The TimesDaily (http://bit.ly/1G7AYXa ) reports Deborah Mansell of Muscle Shoals pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing from Highland Park Baptist Church in Colbert County.

She faces a sentence of 46 months in jail under a plea agreement but could receive probation. Mansell will also have to repay the money.

A financial audit first raised questions about the church’s books and accounts.

Mansell was charged with credit card fraud last year. Police say they found more than 2,200 questionable transactions dating from July 2011 until last April.

Police say the woman used a church credit card like it was her own, charging items including restaurant bills and gas to the church.