Sticky Fingers Attract Cards, Gifts and Novelties

Have I got a story for you! (public record#06-CR-0850, Cherokee County, GA) A woman was hired in 2002 as an office manager. Within two months, she had contacted American Express and was able to convince them that she was 49% owner of the business and they gave her a corporate American Express credit card without any authorization by the company president. She used that card to charge over $165,000 in personal purchases. Because she had access to the company books, all of her personal charges were paid for through the company checkbook. But she didn't stop there. She doubled up on her paycheck which was already very generous. She wrote company checks for personal purchases and services. She had her deck redone; had her house repainted; purchased furniture and groceries using company funds. She and her husband purchased automobiles exactly like her boss and his wife's cars. She created false W-2s for herself and her husband using the company computer when they sought to purchase a $500,000 home. After they were caught, she sought to 'negotiate' her way out of it by begging us not to turn her into the authorities. When we didn't agree, she went on the attack by bringing false charges to the district attorney, claiming all the while what a good Christian woman she was. When that didn't work, she sought delays and changed attorneys again and again. She became pregant in time for her arraigment before the Grand Jury, and became pregnant again in time fore her sentencing. Even though the judge gave her (only) 10 yrs PROBATION, she never apologized for her illegal actions, only how humiliated she was as a result. She stole well over $300,000, but was only required to pay $50,000 in restitution. She gives Christianity yet another black mark.

I'm curious as to why people steal or feel entitled to do so (as employees)? Do you think that if employees were given more ownership within their positions that this wouldn't be the case as much? I think that small business owners, don't trust their employees enough and because of that it helps foster this community of distrust. What do you think? Personally, I believe if I felt I were being policed within my job -- I'm not sure how I'd behave. I thrive in communities where there's trust and responsibilities. I'd love to get your feed back. Best regards, -Tracy ...

I feel for your loss and clearly what was done is reprehensible on all levels. However, I can't help to recognize the persistent reference to this Cherokee county criminal as a "Christian" all the while she had you fooled posing as an "honest employee" so would you say she gives honest employees another black mark or would you say by her actions she?s not an honest employee? I would suggest she never has been nor likely to currently be a Christian or for that matter even a good person. ?Works are meaningless on the way to salvation and necessary as the resulting proof of the genuineness of your conversion. Paul said works are absolutely worthless in any way to commend oneself to God in order to be saved. James comes along and says, but if you?ve truly been saved by Faith alone your faith will be evidenced by what you do. They?re not in contradiction at all. They?re in perfect agreement. The only issue is on which side of Salvation does works belong.? Dr. David Jeremiah Verbal faith alone cannot serve and cannot serve ? like salt without flavor.