Pastor Kenneth Emmett Hogue pleaded guilty yesterday to embezzling almost $300,000 from the United Pentecostal Church in Butte, Montana, over a span of four years.
Hogue was acting as treasurer to the Rocky Mountain District of the denomination when he embezzled $288,757 from 2012 to 2016, according to the Missoulian. His job included depositing offerings for the church in and writing checks for the church’s expenses, reports the Washington Times. A $5,000 transfer made authorities suspicious of Hogue’s illegal activities.
The day after prosecutors charged Hogue with wire fraud, he agreed to pay back the money he took and sign a plea agreement.
The pastor may spend up to 20 years in prison and must pay a fine of $250,000.
