http://www.detnews.com/2005/religion/0507/02/B01-226413.htm
Friday, June 24, 2005
Grosse Pte. church theft may top $1 million
Former treasurer of Lutheran church pleaded no contest, will serve
five to 10 years.
By David Shepardson / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- A 45-year-old former church treasurer and mother of five
got a stiff prison sentence after she pleaded no contest to stealing
more than $700,000 from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Grosse
Pointe.
State sentencing guidelines called for Janis Lee Ferworn, 45, of
Grosse Pointe Woods to spend up to nine months in prison. She could
have received as little as probation.
Instead, Wayne Circuit Judge Timothy Kenny gave her 5-10 years in
prison, meaning she won't be eligible for parole until she serves at
least five years. She was ordered to begin serving the sentence
immediately.
Kenny also ordered her to make complete restitution to the church,
which church officials said Thursday could now be as high as $1.3
million. Kenny set a Sept. 9 hearing to determine the amount of
restitution.
A tearful Ferworn apologized to the court and the church and admitted
to stealing the money.
"If the church members wish for me to go way for a long time, so be
it," Ferworn said.
In April, Ferworn pleaded no contest to the felony charge of
embezzlement over $20,000 between 1997 and 2004. A no-contest plea
means a person isn't disputing a criminal charge and is treated as
pleading guilty in terms of sentencing.
Kenny said Ferworn's brazen theft included $25,000 from a pension fund
for a retired minister, at least $50,000 from a mission fund used to
feed and clothe the hungry in impoverished nations and memorial
donations made in memory of deceased relatives. She also stole "the
nickels and dimes" from Sunday school children who donated to the
school fund, Kenny said.
Ferworn, who earned $5,000 as treasurer, said she had only begun
stealing money when her family was three months behind in their
mortgage and faced foreclosure.
She has two young adopted foster children, ages 9 and 11, among her
five children.
But Kenny said she also used the money for private school tuition, a
time share in Hilton Head, S.C., an in-ground swimming pool and other
luxury items.
"The money was spent on a lavish lifestyle: on cars, vacations, home
furnishings, a maid, private school tuition, items all of us would
like to have," Kenny said.
Associate Pastor Timothy Holzerland, 42, said some church staff could
be laid off as a result of the thefts.
He noted that in the letters of 45 church members to Kenny, none had
sought a prison sentence for Ferworn, but emphasized how devastating
the losses had been.
"We weren't looking to have her tarred and feathered or for
vengeance," said Holzerland, who called the lengthy prison sentence
surprising but appropriate.
Ferworn's attorney, Gary M. Wilson, said she was considering an appeal
and called the sentence outrageous.
Ferworn was ordered to pay the first $150,000 by July 5.
You can reach David Shepardson at (313) 222-2028 or
dshepardson@detnews.com.
© 2005 The Detroit News
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Contempt of Congress meter reading-offscale.
Hello, theocracy with a fundamentalist US Supreme
Court who will ensure church and state are joined
at the hip like clergy and altar boys.
America 1776-Jan 2001 RIP
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president
represents, more and more closely, the inner soul
of the people. On some great and glorious day the
plain folks of the land will reach their heart's
desire at last and the White House will be adorned
by a downright moron." --- H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Religion is the original war crime.
-Michelle Malkin (Feb 26, 2005)
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