Doing God's work?
"Pastor, wife charged with embezzling
The pastor of a Lawrence church, his wife, and the church’s secretary have been charged with embezzling almost $137,000 from the congregation’s bank account between 2004 and 2009. Police told The Eagle-Tribune that the Rev. Isaias Rivera, pastor of Tabernaculo de Adoracion y Musica, and his wife, Vivian, were arrested Thursday. Church secretary Kizzella Rivera turned herself in. The alleged embezzlement was brought to the attention of authorities by the Presbytery of Northern New England, which owns and runs the church. Police say the suspects wrote checks to themselves from the church’s account. They were arraigned in Lawrence District Court yesterday (AP)."
Wow, Lawrence sure has its problems.
Update:
"Lawmakers consider Lawrence fiscal plan
Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing a financing plan to help stabilize the city of Lawrence and stave off possible bankruptcy. A hearing on the plan has been scheduled by the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees for tomorrow at the State House with top officials from the Patrick administration and the city. Governor Deval Patrick filed a bill last month that would help Lawrence by allowing it to borrow up to $35 million to balance its 2010 and 2011 budgets. The bill also would require a state-appointed fiscal overseer to monitor the city’s finances and recommend whether the state should appoint a finance control board. A similar board helped lead Springfield out of a recent fiscal crisis. Lawrence, a city of 71,000, faces a financial deficit of about $17 million (AP)."
Yeah, that's how government tells you it loves you.
They give you a loan with your money.
