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	Rector to Address Episcopal Charges of Theft, Fraud Armstrong Plans 'Forum' at Church By Todd Hartman Rocky Mountain News [Colorado] April 14, 2007 http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5484199,00.html The Rev. Donald Armstrong today is scheduled to address accusations of theft and fraud outlined by the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado in a church version of an indictment. The document, called a "presentment," outlines six counts against Armstrong, including allegations he used nearly $400,000 in church funds to cover family expenses, a grant to a friend, his own children's education and other, unknown, expenditures. Armstrong, a rector of 20 years at the prominent Grace Church and St. Stephen's parish in Colorado Springs, has denied the charges, and plans to address the allegations this morning at what his spokesman called a "public forum" at the church. Last month, Bishop Rob O'Neill told parishioners in general about the allegations. But the presentment contains a detailed list derived from various investigations. Those include a 102-page confidential report assembled by church attorneys covering a 10-year period beginning in 1997, as well as findings of a diocesan-hired forensic auditor, who conducted an eight-to-nine month review of a decade's worth of financial records. The 13-page document includes allegations that: • Armstrong used more than $115,000 from a church college scholarship fund purportedly to pay for his children's education. But, the presentment said, "the disposition of the monies purportedly paid for these expenses is unknown." • From 1999 through 2006, Armstrong allegedly spent nearly $131,000 of church money on family expenses, including lease payments for cars, cell phone costs and computer purchases. • Armstrong directed money and loans to himself and others without authorization from church committees or other oversight officials. Early this year, Armstrong received a nearly $1,900 per month salary increase, though investigators found no records authorizing the raise. • For nearly a decade, Armstrong used clergy discretionary funds set aside for the poor for "a wide variety of prohibited expenses," the presentment said, including wine, entertainment, jeep repairs, car registration costs, a license plate and parking tickets. Armstrong has said he stopped a more general use of the discretionary fund once "newer rules" directed the money go to the poor. Armstrong did not return a phone message Friday. His attorney, Dennis Hartley, said only that Armstrong would make "brief, abbreviated" comments to the congregation this morning, withholding a more detailed response until further reviews of financial records are complete. But his spokesman, Alan Chippen, said Armstrong denies all the charges in the presentation and will be responding "point by point, addressing every item" this morning. Armstrong has complained he is being persecuted for his stand against the Episcopal Church's support for openly gay bishops and same-sex blessings, policies that conflict with the traditional teachings of much of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The controversy has fueled a split at the historic church in Colorado Springs, leading Armstrong and his loyalists to declare their secession from the Episcopal Church - though not from the church building - and leading other parishioners to hold separate services off site. Contact: hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048
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