Former church financial secretary arrested for allegedly embezzling over $570K
NASSAU COUNTY, FL (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A former financial secretary at Amelia Baptist Church has been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than half a million dollars from the church over the span of several years, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
Melissa Ganey English, 44, was taken into custody after an investigation revealed that she used a church-issued credit card for personal expenses between 2019 and 2024, including Amazon purchases, concert tickets, cruises, and even a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
English, who had worked at the church for more than a decade, was terminated after two new financial committee members noticed discrepancies in the books. A full audit later uncovered years of unauthorized spending, with the total estimated at over $570,000.
A warrant was issued for English's arrest on March 25. She was located and arrested in Baker County following a 'Wanted Wednesday' post on April 9, 2025.
She now faces a first-degree felony charge of grand theft over $100,000.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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