According to a report by WCNC, the church eventually closed, but detectives investigated a span of 15 months when Worthey was pastor. During the time of the alleged embezzlement, former church members say they were punished by the pastor for asking questions about church finances.Alice Davis, a former church member said she had asked about church money, and was excommunicated from the church by Worthey. Davis had been a member at Mt. Zion for 52 years. She was informed of the excommunication by letter. "[The letter] said that I was not welcome there. Why was that? Because I asked questions," said Davis.
Another church member, Kim Scott, said he was excommunicated for questioning the church's non-profit status, and was informed of the dismissal in the same way Davis was. "Actually, I got two letters," said Scott.
While members tried to discover what was going on with church finances, Worthey was allegedly committing embezzlement, which prompted the inquiries. Twice, court documents show the church was in foreclosure with $118,000 owed in 2004, and $143,000 owed in 2005.
Under the weight of debt the church was forced to close. Pastor Worthey then became a suspension assistant for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Worthey is suspended with pay from CMS pending the outcome of the investigation. Mt. Zion Baptist Church closed in late 2005, and reopened three weeks ago.
Additional Sources: News14 Carolina