Former N.d. Priest Sentenced for Ripping off Paralyzed Man

Grand Forks Herald
April 11, 2012

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/234217/

A former Roman Catholic priest won't have to spend more time in jail for stealing from a paralyzed man while he was caring for him. A judge sentenced 68-year-old Cyprian Meier to 18 months in prison for exploiting a vulnerable adult.

BISMARCK — A former Roman Catholic priest won't have to spend more time in jail for stealing from a paralyzed man while he was caring for him.

A judge sentenced 68-year-old Cyprian Meier to 18 months in prison for exploiting a vulnerable adult. The sentence was suspended for five years. Meier will get credit for 148 days he's already spent in jail.

Judge Donald Jorgensen ordered Meier to pay almost $30,000 to his victim's estate and perform community service.

Meier provided home health care for the man last year. He was paralyzed and died in December.

Meier spent the money on Internet scams.

Meier was a priest at a Mandan church. The Bismarck Tribune reports the bishop ordered him to resign in 2005 because he was misusing money from parishioners.