8/4/2021- 12:25 p.m.
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. — A small Meigs County, Tenn. church, hit by fire back in 2019, is now in the spotlight again after half of its small congregation is indicted for stealing.
A grand jury indicted Carolyn Mullins and her son, William “Larry” Mullins, for theft over $60,000, according to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
It’s a best practice for churches to have someone other than treasurer reconcile the monthly bank statements and review financial activity,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “Separating financial responsibilities reduces the risk of errors or fraudulent activity.
Investigators say the pair stole more than $83,000 from Peakland Baptist Church in Meigs County, which has only four members.
Back in 2019, the church burned down. Members told reports it started because of a faulty heater.
The comptroller’s report says the church decided to rebuild with insurance money from the fire, but the work was never completed due to a lack of funds.
Investigators say Larry was the church treasurer, and Carolyn was the assistant treasurer and they were the only authorized signatories on the church bank accounts.
The Mullins’ did transfer $12,221.31 back to the church; however, a balance of $71,489.51 is still owed to the church.
