A Saint Lucie, Florida woman was indicted for allegedly embezzling funds from a Selden church, where she worked as a secretary.
According to the investigation, between June 2022 and May 2023, Stacey Hirsch, formerly of Centereach and a former bookkeeper at the Selden church, allegedly stole about $80,000 from the church’s bank account. She allegedly did this by writing checks to herself and her husband without the church’s authority or for any legitimate church-related reason or expense. She allegedly used the money to pay her credit card bills, which included charges for food, numerous restaurants, shopping, and other everyday expenses. She also allegedly used the money to pay for utilities and other household expenses.
The alleged theft was discovered after the church board learned that the church’s bills were not being paid.
The treasurer reviewed the finances for the previous years and discovered that, as a result of her alleged theft, there were insufficient funds to pay the church’s legitimate expenses. Hirsch was fired after the discovery and moved to Florida shortly afterwards.
On April 10, 2025, Hirsch was arrested in Florida and was thereafter extradited to Suffolk County.
On May 2, 2025, Hirsch was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. Mazzei ordered Hirsch released from jail without bail because her charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
“Financial crimes against community institutions not only damage their operations but undermine the trust that binds our community together,” said District Attorney Ray Tierney. “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.”
Hirsch is due back in court on June 5, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.