BishopAccountability.org
	Timeline of the Troubles at St. John The Advocate September 13, 2007 http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-faytimeline1bsep13,0,1812328.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines April 28, 2006 - Bishop William Lori meets with St. John Roman Catholic Church bookkeeper Bethany D'Erario and the parochial vicar, the Rev. Michael Madden, who detail their concerns about how the pastor, the Rev. Michael Jude Fay, spent parish money. Over the next four days, Lori freezes parish accounts and removes Fay as signatory but does not remove him as pastor. May 9, 2006 - Lori summons Fay to diocesan headquarters in Bridgeport from his vacation home in Florida. Fay returns to Florida the same day. May 10, 2006 - Because Fay was still pastor and allowed to return to Florida, D'Erario and Madden assume he would not be disciplined and take their information to Stamford private investigator Vito Colucci. May 17, 2006 - After investigating parish finances, Colucci shows his findings to Darien police. The press is alerted. Lori removes Fay as pastor and names Madden acting administrator of St. John. Federal authorities begin investigating Fay. May 22, 2006 - Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, the diocese's auditor, begins examining six years of parish records. May 23, 2006 - Madden reveals at Mass that he helped hire the private eye. Lori removes Madden as acting administrator. Lori meets with St. John parishioners, who come out in force to support Madden, sometimes shouting at the bishop and blaming him for not stopping Fay sooner. June 5, 2006 - Lori names the Rev. Frank McGrath pastor of St. John. July 30, 2006 - Diocese mails parishioners copies of Deloitte's audit, which found that Fay took $1.4 million in donations over six years and spent it on a life of luxury with another man. About half the money was kept in a secret bank account, according to the audit, which was also sent to federal authorities. Aug. 29, 2006 - Madden resigns and leaves the priesthood. Dec. 1, 2006 - Fay transfers to the parish his half of a luxury Florida condominium he owned with his boyfriend, Philadelphia wedding planner Cliff Fantini. April 30 - Fay writes a letter to former parishioners and others, asking them to contribute toward his $115,000 legal bill. Sept. 12 - Fay pleads guilty in federal court in New Haven to interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud. Prosecutors say Fay took $1 million to $2.5 million; Fay says he took $400,000 to $1 million. Dec. 4 - Fay's scheduled sentencing date. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also must make restitution.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.