LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A 62-year-old former church secretary has been convicted of first-degree theft for stealing some $85,000 in donations.

Daria Bruce could receive 10 years in prison when she is sentenced Dec. 4.

Defense attorney William Feldhacker declined to comment after a Circuit Court jury returned the verdict Thursday.

Bruce was fired from Kalaheo's Holy Cross Church and its Eleele satellite Sacred Heart Parish in 2005 following an investigation.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mauna Kea Trask has said Bruce moved the money first to the Filipino Catholic Club, a "booster" organization where she served as treasurer and later president, and finally to her personal bank accounts.

Trask says Bruce ran the scheme over six years.