North Palm Beach Priest Accused of Retail Theft Gets Probation, Ordered to Pay Restitution

By Jane Musgrave
Palm Beach Post
September 12, 2012

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/north-palm-beach-priest-accused-of-retail-theft-ge/nR8ry/

WEST PALM BEACH — A priest who in June left his job at St. Clare Catholic Church in North Palm Beach, pledging to prove he was innocent of shoplifting, this week was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay $895 restitution to Neiman Marcus for the picture frame he stole from its Boca Raton store in December.

Rev. Giuseppe Savaia, 43, refused to confess but agreed that a guilty plea was in his best interest, said prosecutor Kirk Volker.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Richard Oftedal withheld adjudication before placing Savaia on probation, ordering him to take a theft abatement course and to get psychological treatment.

He also barred Savaia from entering a Neiman Marcus store.

Earlier this summer, he was placed in a pre-trial intervention program in Broward County to settle charges that he stole two $400 Italian coats from Neiman Marcus Last Call at Sawgrass Mills in December.

If he successfully completes the program, the charge won't be on his record. Born in Rome, Savaia lives in Delray Beach.