Church Might Withhold Meth Priest's Paycheck

By Daniel Tepfer
Ct Post
January 18, 2013

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Church-might-withhold-meth-priest-s-paycheck-4207032.php

[with video]

BRIDGEPORT -- Diocese officials might stop paying "Monsignor Meth" his church stipend following accusations he was a cross-dressing drug dealer who sold upward of $9,000 of crystal methamphetamine a week.

"It wasn't anything he could get rich off of; we were providing just enough to maintain basic sustenance," said Roman Catholic Diocese spokesman Brian Wallace during discussions Friday about whether to pull Monsignor Kevin Wallin's pay.

But after reading in the Connecticut Post that Wallin, 61, is accused by federal authorities of making so much money from selling the drug that he purchased an adult sex shop in North Haven named The Land of Oz to launder the money, Wallace said the diocese may stop the payments.

Wallace repeated Friday that he was aware only that parishioners had complained of Wallin acting erratically in spring 2011. He said the complaints came from a number of parishioners, and not all at one time. He said there was a concern about Wallin's health.

Wallin resigned from his post in July 2011 as pastor of St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport and was granted a sabbatical.

Diocese officials later suspended him after they said Wallin failed to go for treatment.

Wallace did not have the specific amount of the stipend Wallin is paid by the church.

Sources with knowledge of the case told the Connecticut Post that while pastor, Wallin was observed dressing as a woman and was visited in his residence by men dressed as women who performed sex acts with him in the cathedral's rectory. The sources said an assortment of sex toys was found in Wallin's residence.

"We've seen this happen over and over and over," said Barbara Dorris, spokeswoman for SNAP, the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests. "A priest steps down for vague reasons. Later, it emerges that the resignation stemmed from sexual misdeeds.

"Many priests must get ill. They must struggle with addictions. They must have family issues, like ailing parents. All of these are, of course, perfectly legitimate reasons to leave one's job. Sadly, it must be hard for priests to do this now, knowing that bishops' long pattern of deception means many will question whether the reasons given are true or false."

In the early 1990s, Wallin was secretary to then-Bishop Edward Egan. During that time, his name often appeared on church documents detailing sex abuse allegations against other priests in the diocese. Sources said Wallin often went on trips with Egan, including to see Broadway musicals, which Wallin loved.

Wallin was arrested Jan. 3 and charged with distributing methamphetamine from his Waterbury apartment after federal authorities said he made numerous sales of crystal meth to an undercover officer and a police informant last September and November.

Federal authorities also arrested Wallin's alleged suppliers, 43-year-old Chad McCluskey and his girlfriend, 47-year-old Kristen Laschober, along with Wallin's alleged partner in drug dealing, Kenneth "Lyme" Devries and another Connecticut resident, Michael Nelson, who has a lengthy criminal record in the state including a drug conviction.

Their Facebook profiles state that McCluskey is from Evaston, Ill., and works in "global distribution" for Pure Chip, an Orange County company that distributes electronic equipment. McCluskey and Laschober had been dating since 2008. She is a fashion stylist, offering closet-organization services.

On Facebook they appear as a seemingly average American couple, posting vacation photos and remodeling a home in San Clemente. There is nothing in evidence to support federal allegations that they were supplying large amounts of crystal meth to Wallin. Both were arrested Jan. 10 in Las Vegas in the case.

Wallin would order the drug from the couple, then deposit the payments in an account they had at a Connecticut bank, the criminal complaint states. In a text, intercepted by federal authorities, on Dec. 12 Wallin texted McCluskey that he had just deposited $3,800 in the bank account.

"Check it. And let me know how you are. I will be home soon but have a long line coming by," the text read. Authorities said Wallin was refering to a large number of customers coming to his home.

Two days later in a telephone call recorded by the feds, they discussed holiday vacation plans. McCluskey and Laschober were going to Chicago while Wallin said he was going to London. But before they left, Wallin asked them to send him another shipment of crystal meth, authorities said.

Contact: dtepfer@ctpost.com