ChristianShame.com

CORINTH – A 35-year-old Kingsbury pastor is facing a pair of felony charges because, police say, he embezzled more than $400,000 from a Corinth bank while working there over the last four years.

Jason J. LaPierre, the pastor at River Church in Kingsbury, is accused of writing himself hundreds of personal checks while working at the Corinth-based Hudson River Community Credit Union in order to deposit them in an account at a separate bank.

State Police Investigator Robert Stampfli said Wednesday that LaPierre had the ability to write himself checks while working at the credit union as a human resources and marketing executive.

The thefts were discovered last year after several suspicious checks were noted by bank officials and an audit was conducted, Stampfli said.

LaPierre, who began working at the credit union in 2006, was fired in December 2010.

Police believe at least $406,000 was taken over the course of his employment, although a more complete audit is being conducted now.

Whether the money has been spent or is recoverable remains under investigation, Stampfli said.

“We’re looking now for anyone who may know if he was living beyond his means or what else may have happened to the money,” Stampfli said.

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