Ohio Freemason steals over $150,000 from Masonic lodge

Sometimes I guess the riches of Freemasonry just prove to be too much of a temptation. "I will not cheat or defraud a lodge of...."

Christopher Elmore, a Jamestown, Ohio Freemason, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 from Jamestown Lodge No. 352.

According to a news story, Elmore was in charge of the organization’s funds, presumably the lodge's Secretary. He pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated theft.

Prosecutors said he would endorse checks made out to the Masonic lodge and keep the money for himself.

He was caught doing the same thing at Xenia Lodge No. 49 in nearby Xenia, Ohio. He has paid back the money he stole from the Xenia lodge, but still owes around $153,000 in Jamestown. Prosecutors said Elmore paid $22,000 on Tuesday.

He is to pay $750 a month until the balance is paid off. That's 17 years! What happened to the cash he stole? Did he spend it already? I'm guessing he didn't donate it to charity....

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