BARNSTABLE (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BARNSTABLE, Mass.— The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River is seeking $1.2 million in a lawsuit filed against a former priest accused of embezzling funds from two Cape Cod churches.
The Rev. Bernard Kelly is being sued by the diocese and Bishop George Coleman for allegedly misusing parish money from Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet and St. Joseph's in Falmouth while he was pastor.
Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into Kelly is almost complete and is likely to be sent a grand jury soon, said Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe.
Kelly, first investigated by police in 2003 for his relationship with convicted murderer Paul Nolin, has spent much of his career at Cape and island churches. He worked in Hyannis and Martha's Vineyard before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes from 1988 to 1997, when he moved to St. Joseph's.
The alleged embezzlement first came to light in 2003 when authorities were investigating the murder of Jonathan Wessner of Falmouth. Kelly had a relationship with Paul Nolin, who was eventually convicted of killing Wessner. Kelly hired Nolin to work at the Falmouth church.
Investigators alleged that Nolin and Kelly had a sexual relationship, which Kelly has denied.