9.13.2007

Jesus Drives a Jaguar?

Ex-Priest Pleads Guilty to Stealing Thousands From Church

from Fox News

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A former priest pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church by setting up secret bank accounts to pay for a life of luxury, including traveling around the world and buying a condominium.

The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, who resigned last year as pastor of St. John Roman Catholic Church, pleaded guilty Wednesday to interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and must pay restitution.

Prosecutors said Fay took between $1 million and $2.5 million over seven years, but the priest has disputed that. He admitted taking between $400,000 and $1 million.

Fay shopped at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, drove a Jaguar, attended a sports club, bought jewelry from Cartier, spent $130,000 for limo rides for himself and his mother, and stayed at hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Hotel De Paris and the Four Seasons, according to an investigative report released last year by the Bridgeport Diocese. He spent tens of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and meals and more than $20,000 to mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination, the report said.

He also bought a condominium in Florida with another man. Federal investigators said Fay also spent money to buy a condominium in Philadelphia.

Fay and his attorney, Lawrence Hopkins, declined to comment outside court. In the hearing, Fay said he had undergone chemotherapy for prostate cancer but the treatment was not working.

He was released on a $50,000 bond; sentencing is set for Dec. 4.

Fay remains unauthorized to function as a priest, church officials said. The parish has received restitution in the form of cash, real estate, and personal property worth about a few hundred thousand dollars, church officials said.

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

darren, was this man living a homosexual lifestyle, or was he just spending money?

October 01, 2007 1:52 PM  
Blogger godkiller said...

Love the site, (page is a bit long) It's nice to read articles by someone not afraid to tell it like it is.
I'd love to see a tally of hate mail/comments.



http://www.unindoctrinated.com/

August 11, 2008 4:51 PM  
Anonymous makati condominiums said...

He is a bad priest for me for having all those property.

Angelo H

March 09, 2011 11:20 PM  
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June 25, 2016 4:22 AM  

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