Finance Chief Admits Taking $269,000 From Theology School

The chief financial officer of the School of Theology at Claremont has admitted taking $269,000 in seminary funds for personal use over a 14-month period, United Methodist Church officials said Monday.

John W. Kirkman, business manager and comptroller for the Methodist-related seminary, said in a written statement dated Sept. 22 that he misappropriated the funds between July 1, 1986 and Aug. 31, 1987, according to United Methodist Bishop Jack M. Tuell, a member of the school’s Board of Trustees.

Tuell confirmed Monday that school officials asked for and received Kirkman’s resignation after the disclosure. Kirkman had worked for the seminary, which is independent of the Claremont Colleges, since Sept. 1, 1985.

‘Repayment Anticipated’

“We have been shocked and dismayed by the information,” Tuell said. “We are deeply concerned for the school, but I am fully assured by officials of the School of Theology at Claremont that complete repayment of these funds is fully anticipated.”

James T. Duff of Los Angeles, Kirkman’s attorney, confirmed Monday that Kirkman “intends to make full restitution and is working toward that goal now.” Duff declined to comment further.

It was undetermined whether legal action will be taken, church officials said.

News of the action was released through a national Methodist newspaper, United Methodist Reporter, and its Southern California edition, Circuit West.

The Rev. Richard W. Cain, president of the theological school, was unavailable for comment Monday, a school spokesman said.

The story in Circuit West said that Cain had been assured by the school’s bonding company that all funds will be replaced. Seminary administrators said that all bills are paid and there has been no disruption of the seminary’s work.

Kirkman, who lives in Canoga Park, is currently in Australia on a feasibility study for his new employer, a fund-raising organization, according to his wife, Ann.

Kirkman was treasurer of the United Methodist Pacific and Southwest Conference from 1975 to 1982. He was a central figure in the fiscal problems and a class-action against the church and the conference-owned Pacific Homes retirement facilities. In December, 1980, an out-of-court settlement of $21 million was reached.

After Kirkman’s admission at the seminary, Bishop Tuell said he asked the conference fiscal officer to examine all conference funds in the period when Kirkman was treasurer. “I am glad to report that their review does not indicate any evidence of misuse of funds under . . . conference control,” Tuell said in a statement published in the Circuit West newspaper.

Tuell, who described Kirkman as a good friend, added: “I have done what I can to ensure that John and his family are supported by pastoral love and care during these difficult days.”

The church newspaper said that seminary officials had no knowledge before Kirkman’s admission that operating budget funds were missing. However, there had been “growing dissatisfaction over not getting timely financial reports from the comptroller’s office,” the newspaper said. School officials said that Kirkman’s office had blamed the delays on difficulties with computer programs and changes in personnel, according to the newspaper.

Kirkman told seminary officials of the missing funds three days before a scheduled meeting of the school’s board, which was to hear the promised reports.

The graduate-level seminary averages about 360 students who are studying for the ministry in the United Methodist Church and many other denominations.