A former deacon and bookkeeper for a Roman Catholic church in West Chicago has surrendered after being charged with stealing more than $315,000 from the parish, authorities said.
DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett says 58-year-old George Valdez turned himself in Wednesday afternoon after a grand jury indicted him on 30 counts of financial fraud.
Valdez is accused of buying more than $10,000 worth of Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox tickets with money stolen from St. Mary's Church. He also allegedly diverted more than $20,000 in church funds into his personal accounts and enrolled his family in St. Mary's health care plan without paying premiums.
The thefts reportedly took place from 2006 through 2009 and was discovered after a routine audit.
"During the audit, we knew something was wrong right away, and that it was bad and big," the Rev. John Balluff, pastor of St. Mary's, told the Chicago Tribune.
Valdez was being held on $300,000 bond. DuPage County Jail officers said Wednesday night they didn't know if he had an attorney.
Deacon Accused of Stealing from Church
George Valdez stole more than $315,000 from West Chicago parish, authorities say.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
