D.A: Treasurer stole from local church

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A Queens man was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly stole more than $35,000 from an East Meadow church, while serving as its assistant treasurer.

According to Nassau County Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas, Ronald Ousman, 38, of Bayside, surrendered Tuesday morning to D.A. investigators, and was arraigned on the charge of third-degree grand larceny. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of two and one-third to three years in prison. He is due back in court on Sept. 15.

Ousman was dismissed as the church’s treasurer in May, said Singas, adding that the embezzlement occurred between May 2014 and May 2015. Ousman, Singas said, made a series of cash withdrawals from the church’s checking and money market accounts. In total, he allegedly stole $35,608.

“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.” 

The investigation began when church officials contacted the Internal Revenue Service to verify certain tax information, said Singas. IRS employees informed church officials that certain payments were never received by the IRS. An investigation was opened by the DA’s office in May.