LAKEPORT — The preliminary hearings of a former pastor and his wife charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from a church in Clearlake were continued after a continuance motion was filed by the defense.
The court scheduled the preliminary hearing for Dec. 11, after Bruce Stark”s attorney, Thomas Quinn, filed a motion for a continuance, Quinn stated. Deputy District Attorney Sharon Lerman-Hubert did not oppose the continuance.
Quinn stated the defense needed more time to complete its discovery. He added that because the defendants live out of county, in Stockton, it is difficult to keep continued communication with him.
Bruce and Shanell Stark were charged with one felony count after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars in cash and property from the Hilltop Apostolic Church while Bruce worked there as a pastor from 2002 to 2007. At that time, Shanell reportedly worked at the church in a secretarial position.
The Starks also face a special allegation that the embezzlement was of more than $50,000. Bruce and Shanell deny any wrong doing.
Bruce was arrested in March and Shanell reportedly turned herself in at the courthouse in June.
A preliminary hearing was previously scheduled for Sept. 18, but it was continued because of health problems Bruce was experiencing, as well as new findings by the prosecution regarding the amount of money the couple allegedly stole, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson.
The Starks await further court proceedings out of custody.
Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
