Columbian Club Treasurer Swiped $80K, Deputies Say

SPRING HILL, FL — The owner of Bennett Custom Wood faces criminal charges after Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say he took nearly $80,000 from a Catholic church-affiliated club.

According to the sheriff’s office, Crawford J. Bennett, 51, of Spring Hill served as the treasurer for the Knights of Columbus-affiliated Columbia Club in Hudson. “During his tenure, the defendant began to issue checks to himself, without authorization or knowledge of the club,” an arrest report stated.

Deputies say the thefts began on Nov. 17, 2014, and continued until February 2016. On Feb. 25, the arrest report said Bennett was instructed to issue a check for $49,498.51 to an associated church. “This check was returned as insufficient funds,” the report noted.

When the check came back, Bennett “admitted he ‘invested’ the club’s money, totaling about $80,000,” the report said. Bennett told deputies he invested the money in his business and “had hopes to recoup the money before anyone discovered the loss,” the report noted.

The total amount of the loss was $79,900, the report said. Investigators say Bennett deposited the funds into his personal account and used the money for expenses.

While Bennett faces scheme to defraud charges, the arresting deputy did request a low bond “due to his cooperation,” the report said.

Bennett was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 27. He was later released in lieu of $10,000 bond, jail records indicate.

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