BishopAccountability.org
	Delray Beach Priest Who Stole Money Gets 14 Months in Prison By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel March 24, 2009 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/delraybeach/sfl-flpskehan0325pnmar25,0,5324881.story Video Cleric broke 'sacred trust,' but contrition, advanced age earn ex-pastor a lesser sentence for grand theft Old age and the support of the Catholic Church couldn't spare a disgraced former pastor from prison time for stealing from his Delray Beach congregation. The Rev. John Skehan, 81, was sentenced to 14 months in prison Tuesday for grand theft of more than $100,000 from St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church. He must surrender to begin serving the term by May 1. Investigators say Skehan stole $370,000 that he spent on a girlfriend, trips, homes, and other property in Florida and his native Ireland. Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath cited Skehan's "sincere contrition" and advanced age for imposing a lesser sentence. But he said Skehan violated the "sacred trust of loyal and faithful parishioners" and should be incarcerated. "The crime of the defendant was pure greed unmasked," Colbath said at the sentencing. "There was not a shred of moral necessity to excuse the defendant's crime." Skehan had faced between 22 months and 30 years in prison for his crimes. He pleaded guilty in January, avoiding a trial. He entered an "open plea," meaning he threw himself on the mercy of the judge and there were no guarantees of what sentence he would receive. Colbath also sentenced Skehan to seven years of probation, and Skehan is forbidden to return to St. Vincent or participate in church activities there. The Diocese of Palm Beach and a parade of supporters, including priests and parishioners, had urged leniency for Skehan. The diocese asked for restitution, not jail time, and Colbath delayed making a decision Friday. Skehan told the judge Friday that he was ashamed and sorry. "The simple truth is deep in my heart I thought I was doing the right thing," Skehan said. "For over 50 years, I saw my role as priest caring for people ... helping them spiritually, emotionally and assisting them financially when I saw they needed it." Skehan said the pain he feels will never go away. "It's a disappointment, but Father Skehan is a man of faith and he will persevere," defense attorney Scott Richardson said. "He has been remorseful from the very beginning." Skehan surrendered a condominium worth $366,000 as restitution, as well as $39,000 in cash and a coin collection estimated to be worth about $381,000. Giving back the money once he got caught and serving probation alone would not have been enough punishment, said retired Delray Beach police Detective Tom Whatley, who investigated the case against Skehan. "It would have sent the message, 'Hey, it's OK to take money. ... You might get off,'" said Whatley, who was in court. Skehan's successor at St. Vincent, Francis Guinan, 66, was found guilty last month of stealing between $20,000 and $100,000 from the church to support trips, a girlfriend and gambling. Guinan's sentencing is scheduled for today and he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. According to jail records, Guinan has been locked up since the Feb. 23 jury verdict. State Attorney Michael McAuliffe issued a statement congratulating Whatley and prosecutor Preston Mighdoll for their efforts in the prosecution. After the sentence was announced Tuesday afternoon, Richardson put his arm around the diminutive, white-haired former pastor. Skehan was quickly fingerprinted and ducked into a conference room to temporarily avoid the throng of reporters and TV cameras, some from as far away as Ireland, waiting outside the courtroom. A small group of his supporters left with heads bowed, trying to stifle tears and declining to answer questions. Skehan, who wore a suit, shirt and tie, emerged a few minutes later, surrounded by deputies who helped him hurry past reporters and down an escalator. Last week, Skehan's supporters implored Colbath to spare him from prison time that could be considered a life sentence for a man his age. But Coconut Creek resident Gloria Guth, who has been following the trial, said it would have been an "outrage" for Skehan to avoid incarceration. "How could he get away with something like that for so many years?" Guth asked. "If you can't trust your priest, who can you trust?" Andy Reid can be reached at abreid@SunSentinel.com or 561-228-5504
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.