Ex-Bookkeeper Gets Diversion in Embezzlement Case

By Leanne Rogers
Observer & Eccentric
April 8, 2012

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120408/NEWS24/204080401

A Canton woman will avoid having a criminal record on a charge of embezzling from St. Theodore Catholic Church in Westland, if she completes paying restitution within the next 120 days.

On Wednesday, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge James Chylinski allowed Kathleen Galoch, 63, to enter a diversion program. The former parish bookkeeper has repaid about a third of the $13,169 she was charged with stealing.

"People are furious. About 16 of us went to court. We were so surprised we could have fallen out of our seats," said parishioner Loretta LaBerge.

Galoch was charged with embezzling only a fraction of the $143,000 reported missing from the parish where she had been employed since 1986 to handle bookkeeping and other administrative duties until being laid off early in 2011.

When interviewed as part of the investigation, police said the Rev. Gary Michalik, who had been the St. Theodore parish priest, reported authorizing the bulk of the spending by Galoch. The audit prepared by the Archdiocese of Detroit showed checks written to pay mobile home rental fees, utilities and other expenses for Galoch's adult son, James E. Galoch, and wages for her husband, James J. Galoch. Both men had done maintenance-type work at the parish. Personal bills were also paid for Galoch's former daughter in-law, Shannon, who still works for the parish.

Parishioners aren't happy that Galoch isn't being held criminally responsible or repaying more of the missing funds, said LaBerge.

"I want to know if the archdiocese insurer will go after her for the money and the IRS (over tax irregularities)," said LaBerge. "I put a call into the priest who will be our new pastor July 1. I think it's imperative for him to call a town hall meeting within two weeks. People will react to this by withholding their money."

Contact: lrogers@hometownlife.com