Arrest Made In Salvation Army Embezzlement Case

A former Salvation Army employee was arrested by Tulsa police after being charged with embezzlement.  Tina Galloway is the former finance director for the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center.  The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports Galloway is accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from one of the Salvation Army's most important fundraisers.

While police have been searching for her, the Salvation Army has been working to regain trust.

The Adult Rehabilitation Center is one of the Salvation Army's pride and joys.  It helps adult men get back on their feet after struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.  Most of the money used to fund the program comes from the sale of donated trucks and cars.  Last week's auction raised $20,000.

But, Tina Galloway, the woman in charge of keeping the books for the auction going back six years, is wanted by police and charged with embezzlement.

"The people that worked with her and knew her were surprised and shocked and saddened," said Salvation Army Major Tom Overton.

According to a police affidavit, Galloway began working for the Salvation Army in June 2002.  Investigators say the embezzlement started three years later in 2005 at lasted until June of this year when she went on leave.

The people who filled her shoes discovered the missing money, amounting to more than $205,000.

Major Overton says the Salvation Army is not worried about the money, after all, it was bonded and they should get it all back. Their concern, and the reason they spoke out, is losing the trust of the people who donate and support the Salvation Army.

"We've added a second person in our bookkeeping department that I think will enable us to spread the work out a little more so that not one person is doing everything," said Salvation Army Major Tom Overton.

Galloway lives in a south Tulsa home.  Neighbors describe her as a quiet person whose family kept to themselves, but say she installed a new garage door and landscaping within the last six months.

Major Tom Overton says the Salvation Army is not angry with Galloway, just disappointed.

"We pray for Ms. Galloway and pray that through this process that she will come to terms with these kinds of things in her life as well," said Salvation Army Major Tom Overton.