SEATTLE- She was hired to protect an Eastside church's finances but she is now accused of stealing more than $60,000 from the people who trusted her.
King County prosecutors charged Leesa Roquel Simms with five counts of theft first degree. According to charging papers, Simms was re-routing downtown Bellevue's First Congregational Church donations to her own checking account. Also, investigators say she racked up more than $12,000 in charges on the church Visa account.
"Very unfortunate situation," says Church Council Moderator Duane Baker. He says Simms quit just day before the results came back from an internal audit. The audit revealed more than $60,000 in losses. Baker said it was a difficult revelation.
"Like many churches, there is a high degree of trust for the employees who we work with," he said.
Prosecutors say Simms used the stolen funds to pay for bail bonds, car repairs, bus tickets and cable television.
When investigators questioned Simms, court documents indicate she said she knew what she did "was wrong," but she needed the extra funds to take care of her husband whose "health was failing."
Charging papers show Simms told officers that "healthcare expenses and other bills were stacking up."
Baker says Simms did talk about her husband's medical conditions but never asked for money or help. He called it a "misuse of funds" and that lost money "comes directly from the hand of the people we try to help." The church had to juggle its finances to makes up for the loss.
Simms is expected to be arraigned on September 8.
To add a comment, please register or login.