Father Bob Gets Three Years in Prison but May Be Eligible for Early Release, by Tom Quigley, PennLive, July 3, 2008

Father Bob Gets Three Years in Prison but May Be Eligible for Early Release

By Tom Quigley
PennLive
July 3, 2008

http://blog.pennlive.com/lvbreakingnews/2008/07/priest_gets_three_years.html

The Rev. Robert Ascolese, right, with defense attorney Melvin Wright at his sentencing today.
Photo by Bruce Winter

The former pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Washington drew a three-year state prison sentence today after pleading guilty earlier this year to theft-related charges.

The Rev. Robert Ascolese, 46, known to his former parishioners as Father Bob, will become eligible for parole in nine months.

But the priest could be out of jail a lot sooner under New Jersey's Intensive Supervision Program. Prosecutors agreed not to oppose his admission to the diversionary program that typically lasts 30 to 60 days, officials said.

Ascolese was transported to the Warren County jail after today's sentencing in Superior Court in Belvidere.

In April he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, admitting he stole money from the church raffle and two corporate charity programs to help keep the financially ailing parish afloat.