BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A Grayson Valley woman accused of conning churches throughout Alabama has been given a month to make restitution or face a grand jury, The Birmingham News reported.
Police have accused Vanether Harris, 48, of taking $6,584 after allegedly promising churches she could get them federal grants and nonprofit status for a fee.
Her attorney told Jefferson County Judge Sheldon Watkins that Harris needed time to repay the money she received from churches. She was arrested in February after a 10-month investigation and charged with five counts of property theft, the newspaper reported. Watkins scheduled a hearing May 20 to see whether she has made restitution. Harris is free on bond.
Court documents list several aliases for Harris, including Anita Bradford, Vanether Bradford, Gladys B. Harris, Vanether Duncan, Nether Bradford, Gladys Burts Harris, Vaneather Duncan and Vaneather Harris, according to the newpaper.
The Rev. Hershel Byers of the Greater Works Outreach Christian Center in Gadsden said after the hearing his congregation of 50 to 60 people gave Harris $1,750 for services, including obtaining a grant and nonprofit status.
"We didn't get it," he said. The newspaper reported Byers' church also loaned Harris $450 to pay rent on an office after she claimed a fellow tenant moved out, leaving her short on her payment.
"Everybody needs to be aware of her," Byers told the newspaper. "I certainly hope she gets what's coming to her because all of this was done in the name of the Lord."
