Methodist Pastor in Nebraska Sentenced for Embezzlement From Church
Joseph Schumacher will serve consecutive 90 day jail time and pay restitution.
A former United Methodist pastor in Nebraska was sentenced for embezzling money from the church he led.
Joseph Schumacher / LinkedIn Profile
Joseph Schumacher, 43, was arrested in November for unauthorized use of a financial transaction device and theft by deception, according to KSID-FM.
In June, he pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of attempted theft and was sentenced last week to consecutive 90-day sentences and 12 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $6,740 in restitution, KHYY reported.
Bank statements from the Mitchell Methodist Church showed 32 unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the church account totaling over $8,000 during a period starting in 2021 and continuing through late 2023, the Star Herald reported.
The church also reportedly gave Schumacher a $4,500 check, which he cashed, to pay for schooling he never engaged in.
During his sentencing, Judge Andrea Miller said Schumacher had self-reported his theft to church officials but had “significantly undervalued” the amount of his theft when compared to the bank records.
“The simple fact of the matter is…Mr. Schumacher stole a significant amount of money from his congregation. He was placed in a position of authority and betrayed the trust he was given. This action of theft has had an impact, both financially and emotionally on the congregation,” Miller said.
Letters of support sent by congregation members “show a large amount of grace and forgiveness” by the congregants, the judge said.
Schumacher’s repeated theft over the period of two years demonstrate that “he made the choice to take money that did not belong to him over and over and over again … which indicate to the court that this was not a momentary lapse of judgment, but rather a continued course of action and behavior which Mr. Schumacher knew was wrong.”
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According to his LinkedIn profile, Schumacher served in the United States Navy from 1999 to 2008 then worked for Nationstar mortgage from 2008 to 2017.
He served as a UMC pastor in Nebraska from 2017 until his arrest in November 2023.
His profile does not record any theological or seminary training.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.
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