BishopAccountability.org
	Shredding Allegations Fly in Episcopal Split By Erin Emery Denver Post May 15, 2007 http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_5896802 Colorado Springs - The Rev. Don Armstrong, pastor of Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish, shredded financial documents as an auditor swooped in to investigate alleged theft by the minister, according to allegations made in court documents. "So great was the amount of shredding that one shredding machine broke and was replaced and a second shredding machine was required," according to documents filed in litigation over control of the Tejon Street property occupied by a congregation that has seceded from the Episcopal Diocese. "It's incredible," said Alan Crippen, spokesman for Grace Church. "I don't know what we would have had that would have been shredded, and this is completely ungermaine to the dispute about the property." In late 2005, the Diocese of Colorado became concerned that church finances were not in order. The court document alleges that Armstrong, with help from three others, shredded financial and archival documents. The diocese's allegations against Armstrong state: That he took more than $392,000 from a trust designated to fund scholarships, but that there is no evidence that any funds have been disbursed for that purpose; That $131,000 was spent on private expenses for the Armstrong children; That Grace Church gave Armstrong more than $548,000 in nonsalary income that wasn't reported to the IRS. Armstrong and his church are now connected to the Convocation of Anglicans in North America and continue to worship in the downtown church. The diocese says only a person, not a church, can secede from the Episcopal Church. The diocese says it is the rightful owner of the property, worth an estimated $17 million. Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.