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	West Warwick Church Worker Accused of Stealing from Collection Plate By Talia Buford Providence Journal August 15, 2008 http://www.projo.com/news/courts/content/WB_WW_EMBEZZLE_08-15-08_BGB7Q35_v9.3e88783.html WEST WARWICK — An employee of SS. John & James Church stole thousands of dollars in collection plate money from the parish over the past year, the state police said yesterday. Evan Berger, 18, of 152 Newell St., a salaried parish sexton — whose duties include maintenance as well as helping to coordinate Sunday collections — was arrested Aug. 7 on a felony charge of larceny over $500, said Capt. Stephen Lynch. Berger is free on his own recognizance pending action by the attorney general’s office, according to Lynch, who said a felony screening is scheduled for Aug. 28. The arrest was made the day troopers went to the church in response to a report by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Lynch said. After interviewing a number of employees, including Berger, the troopers seized $2,500 from the sexton’s home, he said. Monsignor Jacques L. Plante, the pastor of SS. John & James Church, could not be reached for comment yesterday. During Masses over the weekend, the pastor read a statement to parishioners about the matter. He said parish officials in April first became suspicious of discrepancies between total offerings and receipts on hand, and a decline in parishioners’ contributions. At one point, parish officials had surveillance cameras installed in the church, according to Lynch, the state police captain. In mid-June, Monsignor Plante told parishioners, a resident found torn parish budget envelopes in front of his home and notified the church. Officials began collecting evidence and concluded that money was being taken between the 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday Masses, he said. It was then that the state police were called in. While the parish could not determine how much money was taken, the monsignor said, collections this fiscal year, ending June 30, were $40,000 below last year’s. Catholic Mutual Insurance will cover part of the loss, according to the diocese. The company that provides the parish’s offertory envelopes, Monsignor Plante told parishioners, will soon arrange for donations to be made electronically, similar to direct deposit systems. Berger was responsible for preparing the church for Masses, doing maintenance and assisting in gathering individuals to collect parishioners’ offerings, said Michael K. Guilfoyle, director of communications for the diocese. He said he did not know Berger’s salary. The theft is at least the second the diocese has discovered in recent months. In May, the state police arrested Vittorio “Victor” Castriotta on charges of felony embezzlement and larceny over $500. Police say he stole an undisclosed amount from the offerings at Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston over a period of nearly five months. He was released on $10,000 bail after his arrest. Since then, the embezzlement charge has been dropped and Castriotta is set to be arraigned on the remaining charge on Tuesday. “We’ve got a diocese that consists of over 150 parishes, 50 schools and many other agencies and ministries,” Guilfoyle said. “Like any large organization, we too face some of these challenges, but we have a number of policies and procedures in place that not only discourage theft, but also discover any improprieties in the operation of parishes, schools and ministries.” Offerings are used to support ministries, provide for the upkeep of the parish, assist ill parishioners and help the poor. “It’s unfortunate that these types of situations occur, but the church is trusted by hundreds of thousands of Rhode Island Catholics to be good stewards of faith,” Guilfoyle said. “Ensuring offerings are going to their intended purpose is an important part of that.” Contact: tbuford@projo.com
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