It is very sad to read about the tragedies that take place. Immediately after posting the previous discussion of the motivation side of the fraud triangle, went to a blog I frequent. Have now added it to the blogroll on the right. Here is the article . It clearly illustrates the motivation factor.
A few quotes from the article:
“A judge has ordered a former church bookkeeper to pay $179,670 in restitution and write an apology to members of a Colorado Springs congregation after she pleaded guilty to stealing church funds.”
Church officials told police that the bookkeeper “…had submitted a letter Nov. 25 admitting to the theft. In the letter, she stated that she used the money to pay medical bills for her daughter, who had suffered a skiing accident in Summit County in January 2009. I have no excuse but to say I was desperate. We were overwhelmed with lawyer and court bills,” the letter stated. ‘I kept this all to myself and tried to pay some of it off. I did not tell my husband because I was so ashamed. I really thought that I could get it paid back.’ “
You can also see the ‘I will pay it back’ rationalization. Will discuss that factor later.
If you are so inclined, pray for the congregation, the woman, and her family.