Woman gets probation for stealing from church

[AGDLynn]

By Brian Arrington
The Walton Tribune
www.waltontribune.com


Published February 8, 2006
MONROE — A woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars from church parishioners pleaded guilty to the crime last week.

Shelly Jo Van Brocklin Burt, of Monroe, was arrested and charged July 8 with financial identity fraud, felony theft by taking and first degree felony forgery against a church after police said she funneled $68,214 from St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Police said Burt filled a dormant checking account with money from the church where she worked as a secretary.

The crime took place during an 18-month period, according to Walton County Sheriff’s Office officials.

District Attorney Ken Wynne said Burt was sentenced to 10 years probation, a $1,000 fine, 200 hours of community service and statutory surcharges.

Burt will also pay restitution of $68,000 to the church.

Wynne said prosecutors met with members of the Broad Street church and were told they did not want Burt to serve a jail sentence.

Their wishes did play a part in the path prosecutors perused in Burt’s case.

“They were not necessarily [interested in] seeing her put in jail,” Wynne said. “Obviously they wanted restitution for the church.”

Wynne said Burt had confessed to sheriff’s department officials before she was charged with any crime.

“She did, to her credit, even before she was arrested, [go] to the sheriff’s department and admit what she did.”



((Wonder if she's related to former Falcon's coach Norm Van Brocklin who lives (d) in the area.??))