Jefferson County, Missouri – A former bookkeeper and parish secretary has been accused of stealing at least $400,000 from a church in DeSoto over a span of seven years. Corie M. Boyer, 49, of Jefferson County, turned herself in on Friday and pleaded not guilty in federal court to multiple charges, including wire fraud and money laundering.
Boyer, who was responsible for handling the church’s finances, allegedly used her position to siphon parish funds for personal expenses, according to a federal indictment issued on March 6. Prosecutors claim that between January 2017 and March 2024, she funneled church money into her own pockets in several ways—writing unauthorized checks to herself, stealing cash donations, and using parish credit cards for personal luxuries.
The Department of Justice said in a release that authorities believe she paid off her personal credit card bills with church funds and covered costs for airline tickets, cruises, college tuition, shopping sprees, rent, and even taxes. To conceal the alleged theft, she reportedly manipulated financial records, making it appear as though everything was in order.
The charges against Boyer are severe. Wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count, while money laundering could lead to a maximum of 10 years behind bars. Federal investigators, including the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation unit, have been working on the case, uncovering what they believe to be a long-running scheme hidden behind the parish’s trust.
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Church members and the community have expressed shock over the allegations. Many describe Boyer as a trusted figure who had access to the church’s finances for years. Parishioners, who had faithfully donated to support the church’s mission, are now left grappling with the possibility that their contributions were funding extravagant personal expenses instead.
Prosecutors stress that the charges remain accusations at this stage, and Boyer is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The legal process is just beginning, and the case will likely unfold in court over the coming months.
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For now, church leaders are working to assess the financial damage and rebuild trust within their congregation. Meanwhile, investigators continue to comb through records, looking for any additional signs of financial misconduct.
