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Bronx Woman Pleads Not Guilty In NY Archdiocese Embezzlement Case

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx woman accused of embezzling more the $1 million from the New York Archdiocese appeared before a judge again on Thursday.

Anita Collins, 67, was arraigned on charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records.

She has pleaded not guilty.

1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reports

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The district attorney said Collins, who was employed in the archdiocese's finance office since 2003, wrote checks to herself and then used the money to buy expensive clothes and dolls.

EXTRA: Read The Indictment

Collins was fired from her job in December after the alleged fraud was uncovered by the archdiocese.

WCBS 880's Irene Cornell On The Case

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Collins has a criminal past that the archdiocese didn't know about. In 1999, she pleaded guilty to grand larceny of $46,000 from a temporary employment agency.

The archdiocese said Collins was hired before their criminal background check went into effect.

Collins remains behind bars and Attorney Howard Simmons said while she can't raise bail, her family is trying to make restitution.

Collins is due back in court next month.

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