The former headmaster of Southlake Christian School in Huntersville was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday after admitting to stealing millions of dollars from the school and its affiliated church. Wayne C. Parker, 57, of Mooresville, was accused of spending the money on homes, vehicles, travel and other personal expenses.
U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. also ordered Parker to pay back the money. He's already returned about $3 million and must pay another $6.6 million in restitution. Parker also will be under court supervision for three years after his release from prison.
Parker pleaded guilty in July to one count of wire fraud during.
Federal prosecutors say Parker embezzled the money between 2000 to 2014. According to court documents, he used the money to pay for his own personal expenses and those expenses of an unnamed co-conspirator.
Parker and the church's pastor resigned in 2014 after a review of the school's books turned up discrepancies.
Parker was headmaster and later chief financial officer at SouthLake for a total of 18 years beginning in 1996. He also served as volunteer treasurer at SouthLake Presbyterian Church.
He spent the money on a million-dollar lake home and other real estate, luxury cars and a boat, overseas vacations, Carolina Panthers seat licenses, and even gold.
RELATED LINKS
Nov. 30, 2016, U.S. Attorney's office press release on Wayne Parker's sentencing
