Church Treasurer Indicted for $2 Million Theft: A Stark Warning
Here’s the rundown on this troubling situation:
- James Owens, the former treasurer for a religious organization in Albuquerque called Norbertine of New Mexico and Santa MarÃa de la Vid Abbey, has been indicted by a grand jury.
- Prosecutors allege Owens stole over $2 million from the church in just ten months (May 2022 to March 2023). He’s accused of using the funds for personal gain, like buying a home and setting up a private law practice, and then trying to hide it by not reporting the income on his 2022 tax return.
- Owens is facing serious charges including wire fraud and tax evasion. If found guilty, he could get up to 20 years in prison. For now, he’s out on conditions of release.
This story should really hit home for any small church or even a family trying to be good stewards of what God has given them. When you give to a church, you’re trusting that money will be used to further God’s kingdom, support missionaries, or help those in need. For a treasurer, a position of deep trust, to allegedly steal millions for a fancy house or a personal business, it’s a real slap in the face to every person who dropped a dollar in the offering plate. It shows us that even in places of faith, we need to be vigilant. Small churches, often run by volunteers, might not have the sophisticated financial oversight big organizations do. This incident is a stark reminder to put proper checks and balances in place, even with people we trust deeply, because the enemy is always looking for an open door. It hurts the church’s mission and faith in general when something like this comes to light.
This story was analyzed for Christ P2P. You can read the original reporting here: https://www.koat.com/article/church-theft-2-million-new-mexico/70177522
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