EAST SPENCER — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the reported embezzlement of money from Shady Grove Baptist Church.
Chief Deputy David Ramsey said it’s not yet clear exactly how much was stolen from the church, but he said it is “a substantial amount of money.” He said the embezzlement likely took place over a number of years, though investigators haven’t yet determined exactly when it started and ended.
Ramsey said investigators are reviewing accounts of former church employees to try and determine where the money went.
The report was initially filed with the East Spencer Police Department, but due to staff shakeups there, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation in early August.
Alonza Williams was pastor of Shady Grove Baptist when the embezzlement reportedly took place but has since left the church, as have the finance director at the time, James Neely, and his assistant, Tiffany Davenport, Ramsey said.
It wasn’t clear today who reported the theft.