Ex-CFO of Philadelphia Archdiocese admits stealing $900,000

[hue]

Source: Chicago Tribune

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The former chief financial officer of the embattled Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to stealing $906,000 from the church, the district attorney's office said on Monday.

The archdiocese, facing a $17 million budget hole and still reeling from last month's conviction of a monsignor in a child sex abuse scandal, was the target of a forgery and theft scheme run by former financial officer Anita Guzzardi.

The former CFO admitted on Friday that she stole the money from 2004 to 2011. Guzzardi, 43, was fired in July 2011.

"Guzzardi was terminated from her newly promoted chief financial officer position after she was confronted and initially denied any wrong doing in July of 2011," the prosecutor's office said.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-crime-churchbre8611gr-20120702,0,1684353.story

[Booster]

1. Makes one wonder just how corrupt the entire Catholic church really is.

[rurallib]

10. It is almost comical, isn't it?

while the spotlight is on the sex scandal, someone boosts the savings.
What would Jesus Do? Cry methinks.

[Joe Bacon]

3. Par for the course.

Nothing but a bunch of thieves. It's time for people to shut their wallets and walk out of this criminal enterprise.

[freshwest]

4. Went after the embezzler much faster than the pedophiles.

This and the other case mentioned, are the first times I've heard of the Church turning their members over to the godless, because secular, civil authorities. They claim their religion exempts them from discrimination laws that others have to obey.

They've got a history of covering up, even moving priests who were serial abusers from one diocese to another or other countries, paid out for damages after fighthing them for years, then this gets the fast track.

Is it the state of Pennsylvania that is finally waking up, or the Church?

[Booster]

5. Probably because she was a woman. Old boy's club protect each other.

[cstanleytech]

9. Its not a claim its the constitution and it works both ways to protect them and to

protect us from churches trying to dictate what laws the government can pass or atleast thats the intent though it doesnt always work 100% of the time.

[pnwmom]

11. My diocese changed its policies in the 1980's, under Archbishop Hunthausen,

to turn sex offenders over to authorities. An independent panel was set up to make sure this happens. Since then, this policy has been adopted by numerous other dioceses. The Church's history cannot be excused, but these changes have been made.

(And this person has been embezzling since 2004. They didn't exactly go after her with lightning speed.)

[freshwest]

12. That is a good move on the part of your diocese. But considering decades going by with...

The other cases, this was fairly quick. The more respect of the civil and human rights of their own members, women and children they embrace, even if not of the Church, the better it will be.

[Rain Mcloud]

6. Who's that knocking on the door?

Surprise!
It's Vinnie and Vito and Al and Sal and the Gang's all here for a little ride in the car.
A little late now but probably should have taken the cyanide come to think on it.

[tawadi]

7. Makes me so angry

Struggling, working class, families gave a lot of money to 'the church".

[Auntie Bush]

8. Seems they care more about missing money than abusing children.