Priest in Greensburg Diocese Charged with Theft after Years of Investigation

WTAE
March 11, 2014

http://www.wtae.com/news/greensburg-priest-charged-with-theft-seven-dolors/7712860

A priest who has been on leave from the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg for nearly three years was arraigned Tuesday on charges related to a suspected theft at his home parish.

The diocese said the Rev. Emil Payer, of Seven Dolors Parish in Yukon, was released on a non-monetary bond after his arraignment by Scottdale District Judge Charles Moore on charges of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, theft by receiving stolen property and theft by misappropriation of entrusted property.

The diocese has not said exactly what it believes was taken, or how much.

In a written statement, the diocese said it launched a review with an independent auditing firm after parishioners at Seven Dolors raised concerns about parish finances in early 2011.

The diocese said one parish account was reviewed for specific activity, and two other accounts were reviewed for all expenditures. It said one of the accounts was "an unauthorized account established several years earlier contrary to diocesan financial policies and therefore beyond any diocesan reviews."

Findings were presented to the District Attorney's Office, which has handled the case since that time, the diocese said.

Payer was put on administrative leave on Aug. 11, 2011, after the DA's office said it would investigate the case, the diocese said.

The Rev. Jonathan Wisneski was appointed as the administrator at Seven Dolors in March 2012 and has continued serving since that time.