An 80-year-old woman may have traded in her financial woes for legal troubles Sunday when she was accused of stealing money from her church.
Earla Beverly Ferguson, of 10740 Central Park Ave., was arrested by New Port Richey police Sunday, accused of bilking St. Stephens Episcopal Church out of $44,000 for nearly a decade.
Ferguson told officers she had been taking money from the church's bank account and depositing for nine years because she was having financial difficulties, according to a police report.
She told police she also gave money to relatives, the report said.
Ferguson could not be reached for comment Thursday.Church officials declined to comment, referring the Tribune to the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
A call to a spokesman there was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
Ferguson acted as treasurer for the church's women's group.
She was booked into the Land O' Lakes Jail on Sunday and charged with scheming to defraud.
She was released a few hours later after posting $10,000 bail.
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