Treasurer of Church Denies Theft of $68,000

A North Hollywood securities broker has pleaded not guilty to charges that he stole money from a Glendale church where he was treasurer.

William Cullen Bailey, 51, entered his plea at an arraignment Tuesday before Glendale Municipal Court Commissioner Joseph F. De Vanon.

Bailey is charged with one count of grand theft and four counts of forgery for taking more than $68,000 from the First Church of Religious Science from March to December, 1984, police said.

He was arrested Monday and is being held on $20,000 bail.

Police said Bailey forged the names of four church members on church checks written for cash, then deposited the money to a company he owned.

He also used an American Express credit card belonging to the church to buy furniture and airline tickets to Paris, police said.

Police said Bailey had agreed to repay the money but that the deal was called off when a $2,500 check for the first payment bounced.

If found guilty, Bailey faces a maximum of four years in prison.