The Kentucky Attorney General's office of special prosecutions announced today the sentencing of a former Bowling Green minister.

Sixty five-year-old Richard Bridges was charged with felony theft and forgery in connection with a long-term embezzlement scheme against a Simpson county church.

Bridges was sentenced today in Simpson Circuit Court to five years in prison.

His theft amounted to about 50-thousand dollars, and none of the money had been returned to the church.

The court has ordered him to pay restitution of that amount.

Bridges entered an alford plea in Simpson Circuit Court on May 22.