Church: Stolen cash went to malls, cars

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A civil complaint filed against a Grand Rapids pastor alleges that a large chunk of the church's stolen money was spent at mall stores including JCPenney and Victoria's Secret.
 
In total, church officials allege that $237,374.40 was taken from the church since Rev. Arthur Pearson Sr. took over as pastor in 2008. The complaint alleges that Pearson's wife and the church's former bookkeeper were also involved in the stealing.
 
According to court paperwork filed in Kent County Circuit court, the church's investigation uncovered the misused funds after an audit of the church's bank accounts and credit cards.

Plante Moran was retained by the church to conduct a "forensic analysis" of the church's financial records in which the company reported finding "unusual expenses for a religious institution."
 
The lawsuit says about $39,000 of the missing funds were transferred from the church's checking account to the Pearsons' Fifth Third MasterCard.

Thousands more were spent on other personal expenses such as car-related fees and dental work.
 
The church's trustees suspended the pastor with pay on Dec. 27 and a warrant was issued for Pearson late last week.
 
While the pastor has not responded to 24 Hour News 8's requests for comment on the matter, his family members say he denies the allegations against him.