BishopAccountability.org
	Principal Indicted in Theft of School Funds By Karen Sudol Freehold Bureau June 7, 2007 http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070451/1004/NEWS01 Freehold — A former principal of a Burlington County Roman Catholic high school who resides in Wall has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of stealing $415,848 from the school. Between June 1, 2003, and Nov. 30, 2006, Joseph R. Lemme, 50, of the Allenwood section transferred funds from Holy Cross High School in Delran into a personal savings account that he tapped for his own use, according to an indictment handed up Monday. Specifically, he is accused of embezzling funds generated from various school functions, school contracts and book and uniform sales, First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. said. The case was presented to a Monmouth County grand jury because "a portion of the criminal activity occurred in this county," Warshaw said. Lemme is charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, misapplication of entrusted property and falsifying records. The falsifying records charge alleges he drafted and submitted to the school altered American Express transaction reports as documentation for purchases he didn't make. He faces between five and 10 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges. Initially placed on administrative leave without pay pending the Diocese of Trenton's investigation, Lemme was fired in late November, said Rayanne Bennett, diocese spokeswoman. The diocese oversees the high school. The indictment engendered mixed feelings for the diocese, she said in a prepared statement. "In that it was the diocese which established these allegations, notified the authorities and supported the investigation through an extensive audit, we are obviously gratified to see that these efforts have resulted in criminal charges. At the same time, however, we have to acknowledge that this comes as very difficult and sad news to the many students, teachers and parents who knew and admired Mr. Lemme," according to the statement. The diocese also has begun taking steps to reclaim the funds from Lemme, according to a June 4 letter from Judith A. Caviston, secretary for Catholic Education, to Holy Cross parents, students and faculty. Lemme's lawyer, Michael J. Pappa, said he hadn't seen a copy of the indictment and couldn't comment on it. Contact: KSUDOL@APP.COM
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