Christian Academy Headmaster Cuts Staff Pay, Then Steals $9 Million (VIDEO)

The former headmaster of SouthLake Christian Academy in Huntersville, Wayne C. Parker, pleaded guilty to stealing millions of dollars from the school and its affiliated church, reports Charlottes NPR News Source WFAE.

There is nothing worse when people we have elected for higher purposes, who have been trusted as role models for the rest of us, commits acts worst and shadier than we could even conceive.

Parker, 59, of Mooresville, is such a person. Parents have trusted him with their children for guidance since 1996, when he became headmaster and later chief financial officer at SouthLake, to be taught Christian values. He had also been trusted the position of a volunteer treasurer at SouthLake Presbyterian Church.

Instead, Parker stole over $9 million in school and church funds between the years 2000 and 2014. The money was spent on a million-dollar lake home, luxury cars, a boat, more real estate, extravagant vacations, Carolina Panthers seat licenses, and reportedly even gold.

In 2000, Parker lived in a trailer. One of his first frauds was to use school and church funds to pay for a 3,140-square-foot house on 7 acres of land.

He had a 7,000 square foot lakefront house built 10 years later, costing $2.1 million.

At the same time, he shamelessly made employees take a 5 percent pay cut, blaming it on tough economic conditions.

Even more cold-heartedly, court documents shows that Parker stole funds donated by a parent, in honor of the death of a child.

Parker tried stealing or destroying church records when church leaders became suspicious and arranged for an independent audit. A review of the school’s books in 2014 turned up discrepancies, and Parker resigned together with the church’s pastor.

Huntersville police and the FBI began the two-year investigation, which led to the announcement last week, that Parker had agreed to plead guilty. He admitted to one count of wire fraud and agreed to forfeit assets worth up to $9.4 million.

The investigation included an unnamed co-conspirator, who also used church and school funds for personal expenses, including college tuition, medical, and credit card bills and car payments.

The sentence will come later, but according to the plea agreement, prosecutors plan to recommend a seven to nine year jail term. Parker may be charged a $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in jail.

It’s truly a despicable act to steal school and church funding meant for our children and the poor. In SouthLakes promotional video, Parker explains the Academy’s purpose of,

“Giving the families […] a quality Christian alternative.”

SouthLake will hopefully be be able to offer the promised alternative now, and be spared from theft of it’s funding ever happening again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNS4V0Tvaqg

Featured Image: Screengrab Via YouTube.