Pamela Doran Perkins, 45, is charged with theft after she allegedly stole more than $22,000 from Clear Lake United Methodist Church from July 2009 to May 2011. According to court documents, Perkins worked as the assistant director of the church for 11 years.
The church business administrator, Tom Basile, told police that Perkins had been issued a debit card from the church's account, and was authorized to make purchases only for the church and the mother's day out program. Basile said that he initiated an audit after noticing some questionable withdrawals. The audit reportedly found that $22,316 was taken from the church's account over the course of two years and used for gas, groceries, phone bills, electric bills and fast food restaurants that had nothing to do with the church.
Police say when confronted Perkins confessed to taking the money for her own use because "times were hard." Bail has been set at $5,000 in the case.
