Priest sentenced to 3 years for stealing $1 million from church for male escorts

[cleanhippie]

Who said it wasn't fun being a Roman Catholic priest? The Reverend Kevin Gray has been sentenced to 3 years in prison after allegedly absconding with church money after faking a terminal illness from the Sacred Heart church in Waterbury, Connecticut to pay for male escorts and a lavish lifestyle. The Waterbury police had been investigating him since June of 2010 for allegedly taking the money over a seven year period. The money was to be used for church repairs and church debt.

He has pled no contest to the charges, which is not an admission of guilt. He was also sentenced to 3 years of probation.

What does the church have to say? Apparently, absolutely nothing. He has not been asked to pay back the money because the diocese did not ask for restitution.

http://www.goddiscussion.com/60303/priest-sentenced-to-3-years-for-stealing-1-million-from-church-for-male-escorts/

[Sanity Claws]

1. The Church has Embezzling Priests prosecuted

but it did not have pedophile priests prosecuted.

That tells me that the Church puts greater value on its money/wealth than it does its members. But we already knew that, didn't we?

BTW, I am a former Catholic.

[brendan120678]

2. Happened in my hometown of Waterbury.

Here's the article from the local paper:

Larceny gets priest 3 years
BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

WATERBURY — The Rev. Kevin Gray, a Roman Catholic priest described by many as a pillar of the community, accepted a plea deal Wednesday in Waterbury Superior Court that will call for him to serve three years in prison.

But Gray, who authorities say stole more than $1 million from parish accounts to fund expensive dinners and male escorts, won't have to pay a dime back to the church because the Archdiocese of Hartford isn't asking for restitution, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

A plea of no contest was entered on Gray's behalf, which means Gray didn't admit guilt, but a conviction for first-degree larceny was entered on his record. The plea also allows Gray to deny the charge if there is a civil suit.

Gray's arrest in July made headlines across the country and shocked the parish community of Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon, which relied on their priest for guidance.

http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2011/04/28/news/local/554352.txt
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And the actual story goes on for quite a bit longer, but you have to be registered to read it and I don't think I can post it here because of copyright laws.

[frylock]

3. it was a church for male escorts?

[cleanhippie]

5. I know! Bizarre, huh?

[ejpoeta]

4. funny thing... when i first read the title, i thought it was a church for male escorts.

uggh. but it would be funny.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Me too!

I was thinking 'that's a funny sort of church!'

[dimbear]

6. Oh noes! In the slammer with all those men? Who knows what could happen?

Hope the punishment's not too too severe.