INDIANAPOLIS – Marie Carson, 72, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for orchestrating a 13-year-long embezzlement scheme that siphoned nearly $600,000 from the coffers of a local Catholic church and school.
Court documents reveal that Carson, who served as business manager at the parish from 2008 until her arrest in 2021, funneled over $573,000 from church accounts into her personal bank accounts. Her fraudulent activities came to light when a temporary replacement discovered irregular transfers linked to the parish’s gaming account.
Investigations revealed that Carson created a phantom account under the church’s name and used the stolen funds for personal gain, including casino gambling and luxurious vacations in Florida with her husband. She admitted starting the scheme as early as 2004.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, emphasized the gravity of Carson’s actions: “Her greed and desire for lavish vacations outweighed her interest in following the dictates of our criminal laws and the teachings of her church. The sentence imposed today sends a clear message to those who might seek to steal, defraud, and embezzle.”
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton echoed the sentiment: “The FBI will continue to identify and investigate those who engage in these types of illegal schemes and hold them accountable.” The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, who also ordered Carson to pay $573,836.59 in restitution.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and IMPD. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Warden prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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