Church choir director admits theft

[Ian David]

By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Friday, May 4, 2007

ALBANY -- A Ravena man who stole $10,000 from the St. Catherine of Siena Church collection plate over more than a year pleaded guilty Thursday and faces three years' probation and must pay full restitution.


An investigation began in the fall of 2005 after the pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Doyle, became suspicious that someone was taking money from the church.

Paul Motto, 48, church organist and choir director, later confessed to taking the cash from about December 2004 to April 2006, when he was arrested.

Albany County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Lynch prosecuted the case that on Thursday resulted in a guilty plea to a misdemeanor count of petit larceny.

More:
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=586487&category=ALBANY&BCCode=&newsdate=5/4/2007

[dsc]

1. If that is petit larceny I would hate to see grand larceny.

I know inflation is bad but this is ridiculous.

[SoCalDem]

2. Go, and sin no more..

and say 5 Hail Marys on the way to rehab :)

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Not to defend theft, but if you knew how little church music directors

or organists are paid (and no benefits), you'd be tempted to pilfer too. I'm talking about a seriously low wage with the prospect of being replaced at any time for any or no reason.