Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe has pleaded guilty to stealing $650,000 from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Summerlin.
From the Las Vegas Sun: A Las Vegas priest pleaded guilty today to three counts of mail fraud for stealing $650,000 from a church over an eight-year period.
Roman Catholic priest Kevin McAuliffe, 58, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on Jan. 6, 2012, and could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, according to Daniel G. Bogden, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
McAuliffe, a priest and pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, admitted to stealing from the church from 2002 to 2010, officials said.
The U.S. attorney's office said McAuliffe pocketed money from the church’s general bank account, the gift shop and elsewhere. McAuliffe also used church funds to reimburse personal expenses made on his credit card, officials said.
McAuliffe also submitted false information to the Las Vegas Diocese that underrepresented the church’s income in financial reports, according to court records.
As a member of the Las Vegas Diocese’s financial committee from 2006 to 2010, McAuliffe signed letters mailed with yearly financial statements to the Archdiocese in San Francisco in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The Las Vegas Diocese assisted and cooperated in the investigation.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/07/las-vegas-priest-pleads-guilty-stealing-650000-chu/
This is actually worse than originally thought. One wonders if he stole the money because of gambling loses that has been rumored on this blog.
Because the information and thefts crossed state lines, that is the reason why the Des were involved. One wonders if he will face state charges as well or if that was part of a plea agreement.
Sounds like he has been stealing for quite awhile and my guess is that he probably is glad he got caught.
They will probably ask for restitution, but I can't imagine a priest or unemployed priest will be able to make that kind of money.
One also wonders if Monsignor McAuliff will be defrocked, resign or sent off to a monastery somewhere where he will pray for his forgiveness and not be able to handle money.
This is a sad day for McAuliff, SEAS and the Diocese of Las Vegas, and that cannot be denied. How the Church and McAuliff handles this will be telling.
Update: From the LVRJ: "This situation has been extremely trying on everyone: parishioners, employees, volunteers, the community and me personally," he said in a written statement. "No one should be above the law, especially someone who commands the public trust and violates that vow."
Pepe thanked church members and employees of St. Elizabeth's for their patience and understanding.
"It goes without saying that I am greatly saddened that all of the good and worthy actions that happen every day within the Catholic community of Las Vegas, and particularly St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, may be overshadowed by this situation."
McAuliffe's sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 6. According to the U.S. attorney's office, he faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/pastor-pleads-guilty-to-theft-from-st-elizabeth-ann-seton-catholic-church-131360823.html
Just wondering where McAuliffe is now?
My Blog List
