Priest Steals from Church to Fund Habit

New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2012

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10778658

A 59-year-old Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for siphoning some $650,000 from his northwest Las Vegas parish to support his gambling habit.

Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe made no reaction as US District Court Judge James Mahan faulted him for abusing a position of trust in his congregation.

Muffled sobs erupted from a courtroom packed with supporters.

Defence attorney Margaret Stanish asked the judge for probation and to let the McAuliffe continue getting counseling for his gambling addiction, keep practicing as a priest and pay restitution to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Summerlin.

But the judge added four months to the sentence recommended by Prosecutor Christina M. Brown, who says there is no reason McAuliffe should get a break.