BENTONVILLE — The former treasurer of Twelve Corners Baptist Church was placed on probation for eight years and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service for stealing more than $30,000 from the church. Cathy Sue Spivey, 44, of Pea Ridge previously pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class B felony which could bring a prison sentence from five to 20 years and a fine up to $15,000. Her plea was without the benefit of a plea agreement, so Spivey’s punishment was up to Circuit Judge Jon Comstock on Wednesday.
Spivey was arrested April 13, 2011. Pastor Rick Booyer told a Benton County Sheriff ’s Office deputy in March 2011 he received an insufficient funds notice from the bank, according to court documents. He asked Spivey about the problem and she said she would take care of it, according tocourt documents.
Booyer also reported in April 2011 several discrepancies were noted in a monthly report Spivey provided church members, according to the probable cause affidavit. Spivey and her husband met with Booyer on April 4, 2011, where she said she embezzled money from the church, according to the affidavit. Spivey admitted writing checks to herself, but she couldn’t remember how much money she had taken, according to court documents.
Spivey admitted Wednesday to stealing $31,000 from the Pea Ridge church. She has repaid the money from a 401(k) account.
Spivey admitted cutting herself checks for more than she should have. She also admitted to falsifying monthly reports to cover up her crimes. She claimed her crimes were motivated to keep up with her $1,500 monthly mortgage payment.
“I was trying to keep my head above water and take care of my kids,” she said.
While questioned by her attorney, Terry Harper, Spivey said she would never break the law again. Spivey had no prior criminal convictions. She said her actions have been devastating on her children, led to the end of her marriage and her home is in foreclosure.
Harper submitted more than two dozen letters to the court in support of Spivey.
Spivey told A.J. Anglin, deputy prosecutor, she believed her stealing from the church began in 2009.
Harper urged Comstock to place Spivey on probation.
“She is the poster child for probation,” Harper said.
Anglin recommendedComstock impose a six-year prison sentence with a boot camp recommendation, which is a 105-day program.
Anglin said Comstock could impose a probation sentence with 120 days in the Benton County Jail. Anglin said Spivey stole thousands from the church while having $70,000 in a 401(k) account. Anglin said her actions not only took planningto steal from the church, but also to cover up the crimes.
Comstock sentenced Spivey to eight years probation with Act 346, which means her record may be expunged if she successfully completes probation.
Comstock also ordered her to do 300 hours of community service, which must be completed in the first three years of her probation.
News, Pages 1 on 08/22/2012