Florida woman indicted for allegedly stealing $80k from long island church

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A Florida woman and former church bookkeeper has been indicted on grand larceny charges after prosecutors say she embezzled approximately $80,000 from a Selden church for personal use, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Friday.

Stacey Hirsch, 48, formerly of Centereach and now residing in Saint Lucie, Florida, is accused of using her position as the church’s bookkeeper to write unauthorized checks to herself and her husband between June 2022 and May 2023. The money was allegedly used to pay personal credit card bills, restaurant tabs, shopping expenses, and utility payments.

The church became aware of the alleged theft after board members noticed that routine bills were going unpaid. An internal review by the church’s treasurer revealed financial discrepancies, prompting further investigation. Hirsch was terminated from her position and relocated to Florida shortly after the alleged activity was uncovered.

On April 10, Hirsch was arrested in Florida and extradited to New York. She was arraigned Friday before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on one count of grand larceny in the second degree, a Class C felony. Hirsch was released without bail due to New York’s bail reform laws, which classify her charge as non-bail eligible.

Prosecutors say church funds used on restaurants and utilities

“This case involves the betrayal of trust and misuse of church resources intended for community service,” District Attorney Tierney said in a statement. “We intend to pursue this case vigorously to send a clear message that those who exploit positions of trust for personal gain will face the appropriate consequences under the law.”

The indictment alleges that Hirsch diverted church funds to cover a range of personal expenditures, none of which had legitimate ties to the institution’s operations. According to investigators, the theft spanned roughly 11 months and left the church unable to meet its regular financial obligations.

Hirsch is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. She is scheduled to return to court on June 5. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau. The investigation was led by Detective Thomas Speciale of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Section.

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