By Jason A. Kahl
Reading Eagle
February 26, 2011
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=290374
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| Richard Nachajski |
A former Roman Catholic priest who was pastor at a Reading church waived a preliminary hearing Friday on charges he stole more than $400,000 donated to the parish, authorities said.
Richard Nachajski, 64, of York remains free to await further action in Berks County Court.
Nachajski, charged with theft, forgery and related offenses, waived the preliminary hearing before District Judge Stuart D. Kennedy in Reading.
According to Berks County detectives:
Nachajski was pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Millmont, from 1992 until 2009, when he was granted a leave of absence for personal reasons.
When Nachajski failed to return from leave, the Diocese of Allentown appointed another pastor.
A routine audit conducted by the diocese in 2009 uncovered financial irregularities, which led church officials to contact county detectives. Using church financial records dating to 2002, investigators found unusual purchases, including a timeshare in a Mexican condominium for $13,000 and a vehicle.
Nachajski is accused of taking money bequeathed to the church by two parishioners and transferring the funds to various church accounts, some of which only he knew about and could access.
From those accounts, he wrote checks, totaling more than $325,000, to himself or to credit card companies for purchases he had made, police reported.
According to authorities, an analysis of church finances showed Nachajski misappropriated more than $400,000, using the money for international travel for himself and an unnamed companion and for other items.
Nachajski is no longer a priest, officials said, and the diocese plans to file an insurance claim.
Contact Jason A. Kahl: 610-371-5024 or jkahl@readingeagle.com
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