A Florida woman formerly married to a senior pastor has been charged with embezzling over $180,000 from a Crystal River church where she worked, authorities said.
Nancy Bertine, 74, faces charges of scheme to defraud and grand theft after investigators say she used church funds for personal purchases over a period of several years, according to Citrus County court records.
Bertine was employed by Gulf to Lake Baptist Church, where she also served as the worship team ministry leader and oversaw church finances. She had been involved with the church since its founding nearly 30 years ago. Her role gave her access to the church’s financial accounts—including an Amazon account linked to the church credit card.
Authorities said the alleged theft came to light after her divorce from Pastor Lloyd Bertine was finalized in April. Church staff began reviewing her office computer after learning she had been having an affair, which also led to her dismissal from her role. What they found was hundreds of unauthorized purchases on the church’s Amazon account—including items such as cosmetics, pet food, hair dye, and women’s clothing.
“I’ve ordered a lot of stuff, I mean a lot,” Bertine reportedly told deputies. “I didn’t even think about it at the time I was ordering those things, I just ordered them and the church would pay the bill.”
She admitted to occasionally reimbursing the church when asked about personal purchases but claimed she couldn’t remember how long the behavior had been going on, saying it felt like “forever.”
Investigators said financial records show that between 2021 and 2024, Bertine made over 1,000 purchases using the church account, totaling more than $196,000 in unauthorized spending. She reimbursed the church nearly $14,000, leaving an estimated $182,610 misappropriated.
Bertine told deputies she was a God-fearing woman and never intended to take anything that wasn’t hers. She said she was willing to repay the money and hoped to “make this whole situation right.”
Her ex-husband, Pastor Lloyd Bertine, told WFLA that she offered to repay the stolen funds using money from the sale of their house. He also said the church informed the congregation about the situation.
“We all have agreed to pray for her and pray that something will be learned,” the pastor said.
Crystal River is located about 80 miles north of Tampa.
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