Church embezzlement investigation

Orange (WTNH) – Members of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange have turned to the FBI for help after discovering an embezzlement scheme may have drained them of a whole lot of cash.

The church on Racebrook Road has been undergoing a $6 million expansion project, and as much as a million dollars may have been embezzled, making it difficult for the church to recoup and continue the project.

“I feel bad, I feel very, very bad. I don’t know where we are going to find the money. We have a lot of bills to pay,” said Alexander Zachary, a parishioner at St. Barbara’s.

In a statement to News Channel 8, attorney for the church, John Martini said, “Saint Barbara’s is a possible victim of financial fraud committed by one or more other people. We are now working and cooperating with the FBI in connection with its investigation of the facts and circumstances relating to this matter.”

But news of the embezzlement came as quite a shock, because not only are the parishioners a close knit family, they recently rallied together to raise about $1.5 million towards the project.

“It’s bad. The church lost, a lot of people lost money,” said Zachary.

The member of the church under investigation is not being named, but that person reportedly had access to the church’s endowment and building funds. That person also reportedly handled personal investment and retirement accounts for church members.

More than 150 members of the church met at an emergency meeting Sunday night.