She was entrusted to manage finances for a church in the South Shore.
Instead, a former Centereach resident who bolted to Florida was busted for allegedly putting her hand in the church's till and keeping the cash for herself.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Stacey Hirsch, 48, of Saint Lucie, Florida, was indicted for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, for allegedly embezzling funds from a Selden church.
It is believed the church in question is Hope Lutheran Church in Selden. The South Shore Press was able to identify the place of worship in question based on Hirsch's personal Facebook page.
“Financial crimes against community institutions not only damage their operations but undermine the trust that binds our community together,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We intend to pursue this case vigorously to send a clear message that those who exploit positions of trust for personal gain will face the appropriate consequences under the law.”
According to the investigation, between June 2022 to May 2023, Hirsch, formerly of Centereach and a former bookkeeper at the Selden church, allegedly stole about $80,000 from the church’s bank account.
Hirsch allegedly did this by writing checks to herself and her husband without authority or for any legitimate church related reason or expense.
She is accused of using the cash to pay her personal credit card bills, which included charges for food, restaurants, shopping, utility bills, and other personal expenses.
It is believed the theft was discovered after the church board learned that the church’s bills were not being paid.
The treasurer reviewed the finances for the previous years and discovered that, as a result of Hirsch's alleged theft, there wasn't enough money in the church to pay their expenses.
Prosecutors said Hirsch was fired after the discovery and moved to Florida shortly afterwards.
On April 10, 2025, Hirsch was arrested in Florida and was thereafter extradited to Suffolk County.
On May 2, 2025, she was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
Justice Mazzei ordered Hirsch released from jail without bail because her charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
Hirsch is due back in court on June 5, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau.
The investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas Speciale of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Section.