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	Volunteer Accused of Stealing More Than $300,000 from Church By Sadie Gurman Pittsburgh Post-Gazette January 23, 2009 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09023/943914-455.stm A longtime volunteer who led school fundraising efforts for St. Vitus Parish in New Castle stole more than $337,000 in church cash and gift cards to buy diamond rings, Rolex watches, a Mercedes-Benz and other lavish items, state police said yesterday. August Santillo, 50, of New Castle, is accused of taking parish money and Giant Eagle gift cards during the seven years he worked as a program coordinator for the parish. Mr. Santillo is charged with stealing $255,081 in cash, and police said he redeemed $84,906 in Giant Eagle gift cards for Visa and American Express gift cards, which he used to make extravagant purchases. Troopers seized loose diamonds, gold bracelets and rings, designer watches, a 2007 Nissan Murano and other items during a search of Mr. Santillo's home. Mr. Santillo also used the money to gain $3,835 in Giant Eagle "fuelperks," police said. Parish administrators reported the money missing to state police in September after they discovered "some irregularities" that prompted an audit of the parish, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. "We learned [yesterday] the state police had taken some action," he said. "There's not much more we can say." Mr. Santillo, who was arraigned on theft charges yesterday before District Judge Jerry Cartwright, declined to comment. Police said more charges are pending, and they expect more arrests. Sadie Gurman can be reached at sgurman@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1878.
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