Priest Pleads Guilty to Stealing over 200 000 from Church, WGRZ, July 16, 2009

Priest Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $200,000 from Church

WGRZ
July 16, 2009

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68602&provider=gnews

A 74-year-old semi-retired priest pleaded guilty to felony grand larceny charges Thursday for stealing money from the church where he served as Pastor.

Father F. Norman Sullivan took over $200,000 from 2000 until early 2008 from the former Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Cheektowaga.

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said Father Sullivan made full restitution to the Diocese of Buffalo as a condition of the plea.

Sedita said the money was taken through both the use of unauthorized checks from a parish account and thefts from the church collection.

Father Sullivan faces punishment ranging from probation to a term of two and a half to seven years in prison when sentenced.

The Diocese of Buffalo released the following statement in reaction to the case:

"Information regarding an audit was turned over to the Erie County District Attorney's office. The diocese has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the investigation. We are pleased that restitution has been made in this case."