Police charge former parish finance manager

The former finance manager of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro, Kelly Dwayne Payton, was charged with theft of property and fraudulent use of a credit card July 27.
The amount of money Payton allegedly took from the church has not been made public.
This past spring pastor Father Jack Vu requested assistance from the diocesan finance office to analyze the church’s financial situation. After the review, Payton’s employment was terminated April 21.
An internal financial review continued and evidence of reasonable cause was found to support that parish funds and credit cards were improperly used. The Jonesboro Police Department was contacted July 22 and given the findings from the review, including documents related to the possible theft.
A statement from Dennis Lee, diocesan chancellor for administrative affairs, was read at all Masses July 30-31 to explain about the arrest. The parishioners were informed that the parish has insurance coverage through the diocese for the theft of any parish funds or property.
Payton, who worked for the parish since December 2002, incurred several charges on a parish credit card, including charges made in Mississippi and Alabama during a time period when he was in Gulf Shores, Ala., Detective Jason R. Simpkins said in a police affidavit.
“Online accounts (Paypal, Amazon.com) were found to have been used for several purchases with items purchased being shipped to Mr. Kelly Payton’s residence,” the police reported.
“One item purchased included the down payment for a Cadillac CTS. Financial records show the church’s credit card was also used to purchase gasoline from Illinois to bring the vehicle back to Jonesboro,” according to the affidavit.
Cash donated to the church through charitable bingo games is also under investigation, according to police. Between June 1 and Nov. 17, 2010, the cash deposit for the bingo games was only $12.69, but checks totaling more than $7,000 were deposited into the bingo account. The police affidavit indicates a witness has alleged Payton was depositing money meant for other accounts into the bingo account. Patrons at the bingo games mainly paid with cash and that money was routinely taken to Payton’s residence “for safe keeping,” an unidentified witness told police.
According to a statement released by the diocese on July 27 through Lee, “It is unfortunate that charges had to be filed in this matter, but the parish needs to know what happened to certain funds that are missing and that were used improperly for unauthorized purchases. People will want to know how much money was involved and what the unauthorized expenditures were. At the appropriate time more specifics can be made public, but while there is an ongoing police investigation, the parish and diocese must withhold further comment.”
Payton’s arraignment in Craighead County Circuit Court is scheduled for Aug. 30. Both charges against Payton are felonies.

Malea Hargett

Malea Hargett has guided the diocesan newspaper as editor since 1994. She finds strength in her faith through attending Walking with Purpose Bible studies at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

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