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	Alleged Raffle Scheme Defended Attorney Says 'Father Bob' Was Only Trying to Help His Charities By Mike Frassinelli Star-Ledger March 7, 2008 http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-7/120486638086400.xml&coll=2 BELVIDERE — A Warren County priest accused of misappropriating nearly $1 million through church raffles with fake winners, legally bought tickets in the names of "alter egos" only so he could support his charities, his lawyer said Thursday. "Like Robin Hood?" Superior Court Judge John Pursel asked. "I've heard that phrase," replied Melvin M. Wright Jr. of New York City, Robert J. "Father Bob" Ascolese's lawyer. Saying that buying the raffle tickets was a legal way the priest could help his financially troubled Catholic school in Washington Borough, Wright is seeking to dismiss all but 11 of the 32 charges against Ascolese. Pursel will give a written decision on whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain an indictment against Ascolese. "There was a mountain of evidence presented," Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Craig Barto said. In another motion, Wright seeks to dismiss charges that Ascolese defrauded a corporate matching gift program, on the grounds that the prosecution tampered with witnesses. The prosecution has until March 20 to respond. The next court hearing is April 3. Wanting to ensure a sellout of 4,000 tickets in the 50-50 raffle that raised $200,000 a year for St. Joseph's Catholic Academy, Ascolese or his charitable organizations bought $100 tickets in the names of family, friends and people in his recovery-assistance program classes, Wright said. Wright said Ascolese, 46, was going by advice he received from a since-deceased attorney who had extensive experience in the gaming industry. The raffles in question were from 2001 to 2005. Wright said every ticket had the same 1-in-4,000 chance of winning and that Ascolese, while an intelligent man, didn't have the "clairvoyance that he knows what tickets are going to be pulled out of that bag." "Nobody saw him doing anything inappropriate on stage when these tickets were handed out," Wright said. "He's got great stage presence, there's no question about it," Pursel said. Mike Frassinelli may be reached at mfrassinelli@starledger.com or 908-475-1218.
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