A man who once guided spiritual life at Broad Street Church of Christ in LaGrange now faces felony theft charges after police say he took more than $200,000 from the church’s accounts.
⚖️ What Happened: Howard Lester, a former elder at the church, was arrested after LaGrange police issued a warrant for his capture. Investigators say Lester embezzled the money from the church’s business account while serving in leadership. He faces a second felony theft charge for allegedly taking more than $6,000 from a customer while working at Floors on Commerce, a flooring business in LaGrange, Georgia.
🔍 Between the Lines: The dual charges paint a pattern. One alleged theft happened in a house of worship where Lester held authority. The other happened in a retail setting where he was employed. Both involved people who had reason to trust him with their money.
The Sources: LaGrange Police Department.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
