By Lanning Taliaferro
Scarsdale Patch
August 12 2010
http://scarsdale.patch.com/articles/rockland-priest-who-misappropriated-funds-had-been-vicar-at-immaculate-heart-of-mary
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A former priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scarsdale is under criminal investigation for misappropriation of funds in his most recent parish in Rockland County.
Parishioners at St. Gregory Barbarigo in Garnerville got this note in the bulletin when they attended church last Sunday:
"As is known, Father Thomas Kreiser recently resigned the pastorate of the parish for personal and medical reasons. Following a review of the administration of the parish, including an audit insisted upon by the archdiocese, it was learned that Father's difficulties led to the mismanagement of some parish funds. All such funds have been returned to the parish, and Father is presently seeking treatment for his difficulties. Local civic authorities have also been notified of the matter. We will continue to keep you informed of Father's health, and ask that you keep him in your prayers."
Archdiocesan spokeswoman Kate Monaghan would not say whether the archdiocese was taking a look at the finances of Immaculate Heart of Mary from 2004-08, during Kreiser's tenure there.
The financial matter has been referred to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, so the archdiocese will not comment on the case, she said.
Kreiser's tenure at IHM overlapped that of its controversial pastor, the Rev. Robert Verrigni, who was reassigned by the archdiocese in 2006 after a year of division and turmoil in the parish. A group of parishioners deeply dissatisfied with Verrigni's behavior and management decisions had called on Cardinal Egan to remove him.
Kreiser was the parochial vicar at IHM from 2004-08. Verrigni served there from 2003-06.
Though wealthy, the parish in 2005 had a deficit of $267,662, according to reports by Gary Stern in The Journal News. At the time the dissenting parishioners were urging their supporters to withhold contributions to the church.
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