DA: East Meadow Church Treasurer Stole $35,608 From Church

A Queens man is accused of stealing more than $35,000 from an East Meadow church while serving as the church’s treasurer.

Ronald Ousman, 38, of Bayside, surrendered Tuesday morning to DA investigators and was arraigned on a third degree grand larceny charge, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Ousman allegedly stole $35,608 from Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, located at 369 Green Avenue, from May 16, 2014 until May 7, 2015. Ousman made a series of cash withdrawals from the church’s checking and money market accounts, Singas said.

The investigation began when church officials contacted the Internal Revenue Service to verify certain tax information, Singas said.

IRS employees informed church officials that certain payments were never received by the IRS and an investigation was opened by the DA’s office in May.

“The defendant was a trusted member of the faith community, but is charged with taking advantage of that trust by stealing more than $35,000 from a house of worship,” Singas said. “I thank church officials for bringing this alleged theft to our attention and encourage members of the public to reach out to my office if they suspect a crime has taken place.”

Ousman faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He was was released on his own recognizance Tuesday and is due back in court on Sept. 15.