LINCOLN COUNTY, NC — A church treasurer from Lincoln County is accused of embezzling $80,000 from a Baptist church in Iron Station, deputies say.

Detectives allege that between June 2025 and February 2026, Hope Corley embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from an Iron Station church.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report on March 4 about a significant amount of money missing from the bank account for Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. Detectives launched an investigation to determine what happened to the money. Investigators determined that approximately $80,000 was stolen from the church.

Hope Corley, the church’s treasurer, was arrested on April 8 and charged with embezzlement. According to detectives, Corley diverted $80,000 from the church for her personal use between June 2025 and February 2026. She’s currently being held in the Lincoln County jail under a $50,000 bond.