Ex-treasurer of church arrested in Bingham

BINGHAM – The former treasurer of a Bingham church is facing felony theft charges after allegedly stealing at least $87,000 during the last four years, state police said.

Olivia Beane, 30, of Moscow allegedly wrote checks from accounts of the First Congregational Church of Bingham and took money from Sunday service collections. Beane, who was arrested Tuesday, allegedly wrote herself checks for more than $87,000 over four years, state Trooper Randy Keaten said.

Church officials became suspicious when reviewing financial accounts and went to state police.

“Looking at their financial losses recently, they started to wonder, and that’s when they got a full record of all their accounts and found the volume she had been writing to herself,” Keaten said. Investigators seized bank statements, canceled checks and a computer, online data and software from Beane’s home, the trooper said.

Beane, who works at a tax preparation office in Skowhegan, told police she and her family have been experiencing financial difficulties. Keaten said Beane cooperated with the investigation. She is free on $500 cash bail and scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 5 at Somerset County Superior Court in Skowhegan.

Felony theft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with possible fines and restitution.

Carleton Barnes, chairman of the church committee which handles finances, said, “This is a very difficult situation for everyone involved and we will continue to pray for Olivia and her family, our community and for our church.”