Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $272,205 from a Church, Seemingly Avoids Prison Time
LaChria Bowden,a 55-year-old woman from Buffalo,pleaded guilty to stealing over $270,000 from a religious organization where she worked as an assistant to the treasurer. The theft occurred between November 2017 and September 2024, during which she wrote preauthorized checks to herself instead of the organization’s expenses.The crime was uncovered when a check from the group bounced, prompting an investigation that revealed Bowden used the stolen funds for personal expenses. She was subsequently fired and agreed to repay the stolen amount along with nearly $9,000 owed in taxes.
Despite facing felony charges of second-degree grand larceny and repeated failure to file taxes-which carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years-a judge plans to sentence Bowden to five years of probation, as recommended by the religious organization. The theft involved the Church of God in Christ’s New York Western second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, which has 38 member congregations. The organization expressed shock and regret over the breach of trust and hopes all relevant factors are considered at sentencing. Bowden remains out on her own recognizance awaiting sentencing set for January 22.
A Buffalo woman admitting to doing the crime, but it appears she won’t do the time.
LaChria Bowden, 55, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty on Thursday to a pair of felonies in connection with the theft of more than $270,000 from a religions organization, according to a news release from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
State Supreme Court Judge Paul Wojtaszek said that when sentencing rolls around on the charges of second-degree grand larceny and repeated failure to file personal income and earnings taxes, he plans to impose a sentence of five years of probation as requested by the organization. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
The news release said from Nov. 13, 2017, to Sept. 24, 2024, the defendant took $272,205 while working as an assistant to the group’s treasurer.
Buffalo woman admits to stealing $272K from church https://t.co/CqVBPOvUW2 pic.twitter.com/G379Rs9sK0
— 🔴 WNY Safety Pulse (@WNYnews) November 13, 2025
The way the scheme worked, Bowden took preauthorized checks and wrote them to herself instead of the organization’s expenses.
The theft was discovered in September 2024 when a check from the group bounced.
An investigation found that Bowden used the cash for her expenses. She was fired from her job.
Bowden signed a Confession of Judgment to pay back what she took from the group.
She also signed a Confession of Judgment to pay $8,950 to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance.
Bowden was released on her own recognizance until her Jan. 22 sentencing.
The Buffalo News reported that the theft was connected with the Church of God in Christ’s New York Western Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction has 38 member congregations, Erie County Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Abrams said.
Thomas Casey, attorney for the group, said an audit was conducted by an elder with the group once questions were raised, the results of which were d with the district attorney’s office.
“When he discovered the theft and the significant amount involved, it was shocking to everybody,” he said.
“It was a terrible breach of trust in someone who had been associated with the church for a long time,” he added.
Casey said the group was “very regretful” the theft resulted in criminal charges and hopes “all of the factors involved” are weighed in sentencing Bowden.
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