Bookkeeper charged with embezzling from Knights of Columbus

A bookkeeper who already had theft and fraud convictions on her record has been charged with embezzling nearly $65,000 from the Knights of Columbus.

Darcella Lee Lacquay, 49, of Bloomington, worked as a bookkeeper for the Bloomington chapter of Knights of Columbus until she was fired in July, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County.

A Bloomington police detective said in court documents that a Knights of Columbus officer discovered during a routine audit that several checks had been issued to Lacquay with his forged signature. Investigators said Lacquay also issued extra payroll checks to herself with a stamped signature.

When questioned by police, Lacquay said she had a gambling habit and had forged the checks to make house payments, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors said in court documents that they will seek a harsher sentence for Lacquay if she is convicted because of prior theft and financial transaction card fraud convictions.