Woman Steals Almost 100K From Powder Springs Church

MARIETTA, GA -- A Marietta woman has admitted stealing nearly $100,000 from a church where she used to work.

Gwendolyn Hawthorne, 62, admitted that between 2007 and 2014, when she handled the finances of Crown of Life Community Baptist Church, she used church credit and debit cards for personal purchases and cash withdrawals, often at casinos.

The small Powder Springs church lost more than $88,000 to Hawthorne’s theft, plus $5,000 more in bank overdraft fees resulting from her actions. Hawthorne manipulated accounting reports provided to church leaders to hide the thefts.

After Hawthorne pleaded guilty, she sentenced her to 20 years, with two years to serve in prison and the balance on probation. Hawthorne must also pay more than $93,000 in restitution.

Hawthorne is free on bond and must surrender herself by 9 am on March 18.