Ex-greenwich Priest Headed to Prison

By David Hennessey
Stamford Advocate
July 23, 2012

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Ex-Greenwich-priest-headed-to-prison-3728222.php

Father Michael Moynihan on the grounds of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Greenwich in 2003. Moynihan, who resigned in 2007 as pastor of the church, was sentenced Monday, July 23, 2012 in New Haven to serve prison time after pleading guilty last year to obstructing a federal investigation. Photo: Bob Luckey, GT / CT

The former pastor of a Greenwich church who pleaded guilty last year to federal obstruction of justice was sentenced Monday in federal court to five months in prison.

Michael Moynihan, 59, who resigned from St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in 2007 amid allegations he diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars in church funds to pay for personal expenses, will also face two years of supervised release. He must pay over $400,000 in restitution to the Diocese of Bridgeport and must complete 120 hours of community service.

Moynihan, who appeared before Judge Ellen Bree Burns in federal court in New Haven wearing a dark suit and white shirt, stood next to attorney Audrey Felsen during most of his sentencing, which lasted about an hour.

"I stand before you, humbled, contrite and truly sorry," said Moynihan, who went on to explain that he still feels deep devotion to his community and the church and that his "misrepresentation of the truth" stemmed from fear of the investigation into the misappropriation of church funds.

"But that is not an excuse," he said.

Moynihan pleaded guilty in December 2011 to the obstruction charge, which stemmed from lies he told federal officials who were investigating the possible misappropriation. He met with FBI agents to provide information about how the funds were spent and, in a December 2010 interview, told agents he had not forged the signature on a letter, although he knew he had signed another person's signature without the authority to do so, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

"I don't think I was thinking," Moynihan said during his sentencing. "I am truly sorry for that."

Felsen, who represents Moynihan with attorney Mark Sherman, spoke at length about Moynihan's commitment to the church and letters parishioners wrote on his behalf.

The sentencing marks the end of an arduous, six-year process, she said.

"He lied during the course of the investigation. He lied when the diocese asked him certain questions," she said. "He's devastated and humbled by the fact that the charges overshadowed the good he did ... There's no excuse for what he did."

An investigation by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport found in 2008 that Moynihan could not account for church money he kept in secret accounts and engaged in a pattern of deception when confronted.

Moynihan also provided false and misleading information to accountants retained by the diocese, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Though most of approximately $2 million in expenditures from two accounts went toward documented legitimate expenses or expenses that appeared to be appropriate, Moynihan used about $300,000 of church funds to pay his credit card bills, authorities said.

"There is about $300,000 that has not been fully accounted for to the Diocese's satisfaction," Felsen said.

Moynihan is scheduled to report to prison Sept. 3.

david.hennessey@scni.com or 203-625-4428