A former financial consultant from Coral Gables has been charged after authorities allege he embezzled more than $400,000 from St. Christopher's-By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Key Biscayne. Francisco Gomez, 29, was granted a $20,000 bond last Friday, with a judge ordering that the bond funds not originate from the alleged stolen money, NBC Miami reported.
Investigators say Gomez had administrative access to the church’s bank accounts and made unauthorized electronic transfers to his personal account over a nine-month period. Gomez, an accountant, faces charges of first-degree grand theft and organizing a scheme to defraud, both felonies, according to the Key Biscayne Independent.
Court records indicate the alleged misappropriation occurred without authorization from church officials. Gomez, who has no prior criminal history, was arrested without incident and cooperated with authorities, NBC Miami reported. He was ordered to have no contact with the church and was scheduled for release following the posting of his bond.
