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	Warrant Expected in Church Theft Case Bookkeeper Fired after Longboat Parish Finds More Than $100,000 Gone By Todd Ruger Herald-Tribune March 31, 2008 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080331/NEWS/803310370/1661 MANATEE COUNTY — Investigators and the Diocese of Venice are expecting a grand theft warrant soon for the former bookkeeper of St. Mary's Star of the Sea church on Longboat Key. Margaret Carroll, 67, is suspected of taking more than $100,000 from the Catholic church since 2002, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office confirmed. The investigation started when a routine financial review found "financial irregularities," the Diocese of Venice said in a written statement. Carroll was fired last year after another audit confirmed that money was missing, the Diocese of Venice said in a statement. The diocese reported the findings to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office last fall, and now investigators have forwarded their reports to prosecutors for review. "The Diocese is seeking restitution for the parish from the former employee," a statement from the diocese said. Parishioners were told about the theft during weekend Masses last fall. The church is now in compliance with all accounting practices, the diocese said. The Sheriff's Office, diocese and church officials declined to comment further on the investigation. Carroll did not return a call for comment.
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