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	Ex-Church Secretary Ordered to Repay $73,256 By Lisa Marchesoni Murfreesboro Post [Murfreesboro TN] April 8, 2007 http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=3534 A former church secretary was ordered to repay $73,256 she stole from First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Former secretary Zoya Zakqan, 37, of Fieldstone Drive pleaded guilty Feb. 12 to theft over $1,000. She was sentenced to two years in the Tennessee Department of Correction, but the sentence was suspended. She was ordered to pay restitution. Circuit Court Judge Don Ash ordered Zakqan to repay the church after a hearing. Church treasurer Richard Baines testified he reviewed the financial documents. He testified Zakqan alone had access to some credit cards and accounts. He found $123,256 missing from the church. Insurance paid the church $50,000 for the loss. Her attorney, Paul Walwyn, asked her about the missing money. Zakqan testified the former pastor told her if she used any church money for personal use to repay in the church offering. "Anytime I used money, I put money in the offering," Zakqan said. She said she added cash after the offering was collected. Other people at the church used the credit card to buy supplies, she said. "I feel like I'm being prosecuted for not keeping the books correctly, not theft," Zakqan said. She disagreed with Baines' assessment of $123,000 missing. Instead, she believes she owed the church about $30,000. "I promise I put it back in there," Zakqan said, adding, she reimbursed the church a higher amount than what was taken. Assistant District Attorney Jude Santana asked her if the church needed nutritional supplements or clothing from Victoria's Secret lingerie shop. Also, Zakqan said she changed the VISA bill's address to receive bills at home. Ash asked if she transferred other bills to her home address. Zakqan replied she only had the VISA sent to her home. Ash asked if she paid by check. She replied she paid in cash. In closing arguments, Santana noted she broke one of the commandments as well as breaking the law. Walwyn said the pastor and other church members used the credit card as well. He asked for $30,000 in restitution. In his decision, Ash said Baines was credible in his testimony. The judge addressed Zakqan. "Sadly, ma'am, I fail to find your testimony credible," Ash said in ordering Zakqan to pay $73,256. Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.
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