Ex-secretary charged with stealing $44K from Gainesville church

A former secretary is charged with stealing just over $44,000 from a North Georgia church.

Mary Ann Lee, 75, of Cleveland, left her job at Central Baptist Church in May, but she allegedly managed to continue to steal from the church even after resigning, Gainesville police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Holbrook confirmed.

Police say they believe she stole the money over a four-year period, from January 2015 through August 2019.

The initial investigation looked into $150,000 missing from the church, according to Holbrook. It’s unclear where the remaining money is.

Lee is charged with felony theft by taking, Holbrook said.

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