Former Pontiac church financial officer faces embezzlement charges

Reuben Bynum was fired in August when missing money was discovered

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PONTIAC, Mich. – Trinity Baptist Church's former chief financial officer was arrested Wednesday on accusations of embezzling more than $600,000 from the church.

Reuben Bynum, 61, of West Bloomfield Township, faces three counts of embezzlement of more than $100,000.

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Bynum was fired from the church in August after missing money was found. A complaint was field in December with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

An investigation found $650,000 had been embezzled from church funds. The Sheriff's Office investigation also found Bynum had forged a required second signature on checks from the church account and misused the church's ATM and debit card.

If convicted, each embezzlement count carries up to 20 years in prison and Bynum must pay restitution of up to three times the amount of money taken.

He was arraigned Thursday and was released on a $50,000 personal bond.

A new court date has not been set.