Monday, July 2, 2007

Wright Granted Probation On Embezzlement Conviction

   A woman found guilty of embezzling nearly $150,000 from a Lawrence County Church was sentenced to the median sentence of ten years during court proceedings Friday.

   Carolyn Wright, 50, of 107 Jill Drive, was found guilty of theft over $60,000 during a jury trial in May. She stood accused of embezzling some $149,869.81 while serving as treasurer at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church. During the trial an accountant hired to audit the church’s books reported she had found evidence that Wright had used church accounts to pay her student loan payments, car payments, to fund a Scottrade stock market account, and that she habitually purchased items on the church accounts at businesses for her own personal use.

   After hearing evidence, then deliberating for approximately 1 ½ hour, jurors returned to the courtroom with a verdict of guilty as charged. In addition, they affixed the maximum fine of $25,000.

   The Class B felony carries a penalty of imprisonment of between 8 and 12 years.

   During court proceedings Friday, Judge Robert Jones determined that Wright should be sentenced to ten years. He then ordered that she be placed immediately on state probation. In addition, Jones ordered Wright to complete a total of 90, eight-hour days of community service work through the Community Corrections program within the next two years.

   Wright had repaid the church funds in full prior to the trial.

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