Fmr. NY church board member indicted for stealing $3.8M from congregation

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Friday, April 17, 2026

The former board member of a New York congregation has been indicted for stealing approximately $3.8 million from the church.

A grand jury recently indicted 45-year-old Olof Olsson, who formerly served as a board member at the Manhattan-based Swedish Seamen’s Church, on 24 counts related to the alleged theft.

The indictment included two counts of grand larceny in the first degree, one count of grand larceny in the second degree, 18 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and three counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

According to court documents, Olsson allegedly stole the money from the church, also called the Swedish Church of New York, on or around July 25, 2018, until around New Year’s Eve 2024.

Olsson served as a member of the church’s board of directors from 2016 to 2023 and as its financial advisor. He allegedly spent the funds on personal expenses and investments. It's also alleged that Olsson transferred the money to a bank account in the church’s name that he alone controlled, and covered up his actions by creating false financial statements.  

The New York Office of the Attorney General eventually discovered evidence of the theft and opened an investigation into Olsson last December. The OAG Public Integrity Bureau found more evidence of the forgery scheme, including Olsson's reported use of some of the funds to pursue a business venture that ultimately failed.

If Olsson is found guilty, he faces the possibility of spending as much as 25 years in prison.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release issued Thursday that whenever “churchgoers donate money, they expect their generous contributions will be used to support their church and its mission.”

“Olof Olsson took advantage of his role as a trusted member of the Swedish Church of New York to steal millions of dollars from his fellow churchgoers,” James stated. “My office will always seek to hold those accountable who take advantage of hard-working, charitable New Yorkers.”

Swedish Seamen’s Church traces its origins to the 19th century and early 20th century, when large numbers of immigrants from Sweden came to the United States. The church is headquartered at a prominent house on East 48th Street.