Diocese of Greensburg Priest Charged with Theft

Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg
March 11, 2014

http://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/Pages/priestcharged.aspx

After a series of investigations that began more than three years ago, Father Emil S. Payer, pastor of Seven Dolors Parish, Yukon, in the Diocese of Greensburg has been charged with theft.

Father Payer was arraigned March 11 before District Magistrate Charles D. Moore in Scottdale and charged with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, theft by receiving stolen property and theft by misappropriation of entrusted property.

Father Payer, who has been on administrative leave from the parish since Aug. 11, 2011, was released on a non-monetary bond.

The charges stem from an investigation that began when parishioners of Seven Dolors Parish approached officials of the Diocese of Greensburg in early 2011 with concerns about parish finances. As a result of that meeting, the diocese immediately began a review of parish finances with an independent auditing firm. Subsequently, diocesan officials held a meeting on April 6, 2011, with the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council of Seven Dolors Parish and informed council members of the review.

At that point, all parish financial activity was placed under the responsibility of Father Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, pastor of St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City, and dean of Deanery 3, while Father Payer continued to handle pastoral duties.

The diocese had the independent auditing firm conduct a comprehensive financial review of parish finances. The review examined every expenditure in two parish accounts, one of which was an unauthorized account established several years earlier contrary to diocesan financial policies and therefore beyond any diocesan reviews. A third account was reviewed for specific activity. The review examined transactions as far back as fiscal year 2005-06 in the unauthorized account and as far back as fiscal year 2008-09 in the other two accounts.

During the financial review, questions arose concerning expenditures in each of the three accounts. Due to the nature of the questions and pursuant to diocesan policy that any credible complaint of criminal or civil misconduct must be reported to the appropriate civil authority, diocesan officials presented the financial review report to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, which then informed the diocese that there was cause for further investigation into the matter. The District Attorney’s Office has handled the investigation since then.

Father Payer was placed on administrative leave by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt Aug. 11, 2011, when the District Attorney’s Office informed the diocese it would investigate the matter.

On that same day, Father Zaccagnini was appointed administrator of Seven Dolors Parish with responsibilities for both the spiritual and financial care of the parish.

Father Jonathan J. Wisneski was appointed administrator of Seven Dolors Parish March 8, 2012, and continues to serve in that capacity.

“Financial accountability in a pastor or anyone else handling parish funds is extremely important, and the diocese takes its oversight responsibilities in this area very seriously,” Bishop Brandt said. “This investigation has received the full cooperation of the diocese.”