PASTOR CHARGED IN GRAND THEFT.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer A Lutheran pastor has been accused of embezzling more than $218,000 from a small Palmdale congregation where he was pastor from 1989 to 1994. The Rev. David C. Molstre, 56, who is now pastor of the First Lutheran Church in Camarillo, is charged with one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement embezzlement, wrongful use, for one's own selfish ends, of the property of another when that property has been legally entrusted to one. Such an act was not larceny at common law because larceny was committed only when property was acquired by a "felonious taking," i. in connection with the Shepherd of the Valley Free Lutheran Church in the 3200 block of East Avenue S. ``They were almost bankrupted by this,'' said Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County sheriff's Detective Jan Carroll. ``They are trying to regroup re·group v. re·grouped, re·group·ing, re·groups v.tr. To arrange in a new grouping. v.intr. 1. To come back together in a tactical formation, as after a dispersal in a retreat. after being victimized by this guy.'' Molstre was arrested by Ventura County sheriff's deputies Wednesday and was handed over to authorities in Los Angeles County on Friday. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Antelope Municipal Court. If convicted, he faces as much as eight years in prison. Molstre was sent by the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations Association of Free Lutheran Congregations is the fourth largest Lutheran church body in the United States. The AFLC includes congregations in 27 different states, as well as four Canadian provinces. The AFLC is not an incorporated synod, but a free association. as a missionary and pastor in August 1989 to form the new Palmdale congregation, Carroll said. Until he left in June 1994, Molstre was the middleman mid·dle·man n. 1. A trader who buys from producers and sells to retailers or consumers. 2. An intermediary; a go-between. between the Palmdale congregation and the association in a plan to buy a house and convert it into a church. ``Where everything went wrong was the Palmdale church didn't have direct communication with the AFLC AFLC Air Force Logistics Command AFLC Association of Free Lutheran Congregations AFLC Air Force Logistics Center AFLC Apopka Family Learning Center , and vice versa VICE VERSA. On the contrary; on opposite sides. . They all went through Pastor Molstre,'' Carroll said. ``He was in the position of assisting in buying the property and refurbishing it, and had a lot of control of the cash.'' The association loaned the Palmdale congregation $410,000 for the project, but authorities allege Molstre diverted more than $218,000 to himself, transferring money to his personal bank accounts and skimming money off of payments. The congregation, which now numbers about 50 families, ended up buying a three-bedroom house which they converted into a church, at a cost of about $160,000, Carroll said. The theft was discovered after Molstre left the Palmdale church. An audit was done in 1995 and the church reported the case to sheriff's deputies in February 1996. Carroll said Molstre transferred money to his personal accounts at one bank, then made transfers to another bank or federal credit union. Church members did not realize the money was missing until Molstre left, Carroll said. |
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