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	Rebel Priest Spurns Hearing Armstrong a No-Show at Episcopal Court; His Lawyer Cites Lack of Jurisdiction By Electa Draper The Denver Post August 1, 2007 http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6511676 Rebellious Colorado Springs priest Don Armstrong, charged with stealing or misusing $610,000 in church funds, defied an Episcopal diocese court Tuesday by not showing up for a hearing. Armstrong faces diocese charges of using money for seminary scholarships and the poor to pay for the education of his two children, family apartments, computers, cars and other perks. Armstrong's attorney, Dennis Hartley, contacted by telephone, said that the ecclesiastical court convened in Dagwell Hall of St. John's Cathedral does not have jurisdiction to bring charges against Armstrong. "He is not an Episcopalian anymore," Hartley said. In March, Armstrong led a faction of Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish in Colorado Springs in breaking away from the American Episcopal Church. They joined the conservative Anglican Diocese of Nigeria. The Episcopal diocese's five-member court, led by the Rev. Peter Munson, ruled that it still has authority over Armstrong because he has made no formal renunciation of his Episcopal priesthood. Church attorneys have asked that the court remove Armstrong from his office and order him to pay restitution of more than $610,000. "The day of ecclesiastical judgment is here for Father Don Armstrong," church attorney Ty Gee said. Armstrong shamefully exploited theological differences within the church "to conceal grave offenses," Gee told the court. The court will probably issue a written decision late this week, diocese spokeswoman Beckett Stokes said. The diocese is seeking to resolve the matter internally before considering civil or criminal action, Stokes said. Armstrong faces five counts related to financial wrongdoings, including fraud and tax evasion, over a 10-year period beginning in 1997. In addition, Armstrong stands accused of a sixth count of defying the bishop's order to stay away from parishioners while he is under investigation. Armstrong told loyal parishioners in a letter that each charge against him "can be easily refuted." "The allegations against me are simply false, slanderous and libel," he wrote. Diocese officials say Armstrong and his congregation are now occupying Grace Church illegally. The question of who owns the church, rectory and grounds will be decided in El Paso County District Court. The church's charges against Armstrong followed a nine-month forensic audit of Armstrong's books by accountant Sheri Betzer, who said she found a pattern of false and deceptive recordkeeping. Allegations include: Armstrong had Grace Church pay $392,000 for family expenses and for his two children's education. This included the theft of more than $115,000 from the Clarice C. Bowton Trust, a scholarship fund to help needy students who want to enter seminary. Armstrong had Grace Church pay more than $130,700 for family cars, leases, cellphones and personal computers. Armstrong used funds earmarked for the poor for parish expenses, such as his own conference travel or entertainment for visiting dignitaries. Armstrong received more than $548,000 in nonsalary income and benefits not reported by Grace Church to tax authorities. Armstrong had Grace Church issue 14 loans totaling more than $122,000 to him over a 10-year period. Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 970-385-0917 or edraper@denverpost.com.
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