Former church treasurer accused of stealing more than $400,000 from congregation

Investigators say Latrise Seward used her access to church accounts to make hundreds of unauthorized purchases over nearly eight years.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A former church treasurer in South Carolina has been charged after investigators accused her of stealing more than $400,000 from a local congregation over a period of several years.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Latrise Seward is accused of using her access to the church's financial accounts to make hundreds of unauthorized personal purchases totaling $402,655.45 between January 2018 and August 2025.

Long-term financial scheme alleged

Investigators say Seward served as the treasurer for Mechanicsville United Methodist Church, where she had access to the church's bank accounts and financial records.

Authorities allege she used those accounts to pay for personal expenses over nearly eight years, resulting in losses exceeding $400,000. According to SLED, Seward admitted to making the unauthorized purchases during the investigation.

Criminal charges filed

Following the investigation, Seward was arrested and booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. The case was investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division after a request from the church and will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. Court proceedings are expected to begin in the coming months.

Impact on the church

While officials have not disclosed how the alleged theft affected the church's finances or operations, cases involving nonprofit and religious organizations often prompt reviews of financial oversight procedures and internal controls.

Financial experts note that churches and other nonprofit organizations can be particularly vulnerable to embezzlement when a single individual has broad authority over banking, bookkeeping, and payment approvals without regular independent audits. The church has not publicly commented in detail on the allegations as the criminal case moves forward.

Investigation continues

Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed or whether efforts are underway to recover the allegedly stolen funds. As with all criminal cases, the charges remain allegations, and Seward is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.