BishopAccountability.org
	Former Treasurer of Lutheran Group Charged with $1m Embezzlement By Mark Scolforo Times-Leader March 15, 2008 http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=437421 The former treasurer of a 261-congregation Lutheran church synod was charged Thursday with embezzling more than $1 million in an alleged scheme to buy classic automobiles. Barry R. Herr, 61, was charged by Lower Paxton Township Police with 36 counts of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of theft by deception. Police said he made online credit card payments with stolen funds. Herr served for 28 years as treasurer of the Harrisburg-based Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which has 122,000 members in nine south-central Pennsylvania counties. Authorities allege that the scheme dates back to 1991. Lt. Dave Hogentogler said Herr set up a bogus checking account called "Cardinal Investments" to write checks for his own purposes, largely to buy and restore foreign-made classic cars. He bought and sold numerous vehicles, and police linked three that he currently owns to the alleged scheme. The loss became known after the church suspected problems and ordered an audit, Hogentogler said. Herr was suspended from his full-time job in June and fired in July. Police began to investigate in November and searched Herr's home last month. Hogentogler said Herr has been cooperative with investigators. B. Penrose Hoover, the synod's bishop, wrote in a letter to members that the money was taken from bequests to an overseas missionary program and from a fund to help pastors who need financial assistance. "This shocking and tragic event saddens us all and touches the lives of all who are part of the gospel ministry we share," Hoover wrote. The synod said its governing council has since tightened its financial controls. Herr was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A phone message left at his home in Lancaster was not immediately returned, and his lawyer's name was unavailable from police and court officials.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.