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WINDSOR – A Powellsville woman is free on bond following her arrest for allegedly embezzling church funds.

Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin says his office has concluded a two-year embezzlement investigation by obtaining arrest warrants on Genia Canada, age 46 of Powellsville. Canada, who surrendered to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office on (Thursday, is charged with five counts of Embezzlement by Treasurer of Charitable/Religious Organizations.

Canada was released from custody after satisfying a $5,000 secured bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for June 25.

Ruffin said the case against Canada began in 2023 when his office received an initial report from First Baptist Church Powellsville in reference to fraudulent activity that was done in the name of the church. It was reported that when the records of the church were requested, the financial secretary (Canada) refused to release the records or account for expenditures of the church.

Ruffin said Canada had served as financial clerk at First Baptist Church Powellsville for 10 years.

On April 19, 2024, Bertie Sheriff’s Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Canada, charging her then with one count of embezzlement for failing to produce the records of the church.

The investigation continued from that point, ending with the additional charges of embezzlement that led to her arrest on Thursday.

Ruffin said the investigation revealed that in excess of $28,000 was embezzled from the church.