A former bookkeeper from DeSoto, Missouri, has been accused of embezzling at least $400,000 from a local church. Corie M. Boyer, 49, turned herself in to authorities on Friday following an indictment issued on March 6 by the U.S. District Court in St. Louis.
Boyer faces four counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. She pleaded not guilty during her court appearance on Friday afternoon.
According to the indictment, Boyer was responsible for maintaining the church's financial records and assisting with fundraisers and offertory collections. From January 2017 through March 2024, she allegedly misappropriated at least $400,000 by using parish funds for personal expenses such as credit card bills, airfare for herself and relatives, cruises, college tuition payments, shopping, taxes, and rent. The indictment also claims that she wrote checks to herself and stole cash from the offertory while falsifying records to conceal her actions.
Wire fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or both. Money laundering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison along with the same fine.
It is important to note that charges outlined in an indictment are accusations only; they do not constitute proof of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS - Criminal Investigation division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is handling the prosecution.
