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	Church Theft Documents Released Bradenton Herald [Florida] March 9, 2007 http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/16868480.htm Delray Beach - (AP) — Authorities have released hundreds of documents related to two priests accused of misappropriating more than $8 million from a Delray Beach church. The documents were released Thursday by Palm Beach County prosecutors and include items like one of the priests explaining why he did not want an audit and an audit that revealed problems with the way collection plate money was tracked at a parish he headed. They also include statements from church employees, police reports and accounting statements. The Rev. John Skehan, 79, and the Rev. Francis Guinan, 64, who had both been priests at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, were arrested last fall. They are charged with spending church money on gambling trips, rare coins and a girlfriend. Both men have pleaded not guilty and are free on bail. One released document includes Guinan explaining why he didn't want an audit. "My reasons for this request are as follows: It is demeaning, embarrassing and humiliating. It accomplishes nothing that could not be accomplished in a more dignified fashion," Guinan wrote in October 2003. "The money spent on an audit is a waste and should be spent more wisely." A phone message left after hours by The Associated Press for David Roth and an e-mail sent to Ken Johnson, who have represented the two men, were not immediately returned.
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