Pastor’s Wife Accused of Stealing Over $180K from Church through Unauthorized Purchases

A woman who served as a financial manager at Gulf to Lake Baptist Church in Crystal River is facing accusations of embezzling over $182,000 from the church over a four-year period. Nancy Mitchell Bertine, 74, was arrested on July 23 by Citrus County Sheriff’s deputies on charges of grand theft and scheme to defraud. The investigation revealed numerous unauthorized personal purchases made through the church’s nonprofit account, including items from cosmetics to household pet supplies.

Bertine, who has been with the church for 30 years and served as the worship ministry leader, is the estranged wife of head Pastor Lloyd Bertine. The alleged fraud came to light during an annual audit conducted by the church’s finance director, Kelly Hope, and her team in 2024. They discovered irregular charges linked to an Amazon account accessed from Bertine’s work computer. Although Bertine was authorized to make church-related purchases with a church-issued credit card, she allegedly used it for personal expenses without board approval.

The total unauthorized spending, after accounting for repayments by Bertine, amounts to $182,610.16. During a recorded interview with investigators, Bertine admitted the purchases were for personal use and acknowledged the lack of oversight. She claimed to have made church-related purchases as well, occasionally reimbursing the church for mistakes, and mentioned writing personal checks to cover some expenses.

The case was further complicated by divorce proceedings between Bertine and Pastor Lloyd Bertine, which Pastor Bertine disclosed to church officials, revealing personal details about their relationship. The sheriff’s office has provided extensive documentation, including receipts and account logs, to the Office of Financial Regulation for forensic analysis. The investigation, involving state financial analysts, aims to verify Bertine’s claims and assess the full extent of the financial discrepancies.

This case underscores the importance of accountability and transparency within institutions, as emphasized in Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in governance to maintain public trust and integrity, especially in organizations that serve their communities.

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