Kentwood pastor charged with embezzling

KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - The head pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church in Kentwood was arraigned on embezzlement charges Thursday afternoon in Grand Rapids.

Etheridge Moore is accused of embezzling $100,000 or more from the church.

Court documents show the sheriff's department was contacted by the head deacon of Heritage Baptist Church. The deacon told investigators that Moore had contacted him and requested he contact the sheriff's department and ask they launch an investigation into embezzlement, "as he had been stealing money from the church."

"Pastor Moore was turning in receipts for reimbursement to the church," the documents say in part. "These reimbursements were never approved by the Deacons of the church. An interview was conducted of Pastor Moore where he confessed to stealing the money."

On July 31, church officials told the Kent County Sheriff's Department they did not want to pursue charges, but the department confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 the next day they were investigating.

At that time, Pastor Mark Antram said, "An incident has occurred and has been turned over to the Kent County Sheriff for investigation. No further statement is authorized pending completion of their investigation."