Godfrey Ellis, the former treasurer of Shankill Parish, Lurgan, has appeared in court accused of transferring more than £643,637.31 into his personal accounts between July 2011 and January 2020.
He is also charged with recording the church’s bank balance as £30, 482 in credit, when it was £38, 847 in overdraft, as well as making payments exceeding £102,000 on credit cards in his own name.
The 54-year-old appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday 17th October, accused of “by means of the abuse of position” making “a gain for [himself], to the loss of the trustees of Shankill Parish Church”.
Ellis also faces a single charge of forgery, which alleges that in February 2020, he forged a cheque to appear as thought it was countersigned by another trustee.
Ellis was released on his own bail of £500.
He will next appear in Craigavon Crown Court on 22nd November, for an arraignment hearing where he is expected to enter a guilty or not guilty plea.