Priest indicted in thefts at Northborough parish

By Travis Andersen
BostGlobeBy Travis Andersen | GLOBE STAFF AUGUST 26, 2014
August 26, 2014

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/25/priest-charged-with-stealing-more-than-from-northborough-parish/ELGBMKXk7jXA8nVEUKFjuK/story.html

A Roman Catholic priest has been indicted on charges of stealing nearly $240,000 over several years from the Northborough parish where he served as pastor, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Worcester Superior Court on five counts of larceny, stemming from allegations that he had stolen $239,969.87 from St. Bernadette Parish and its elementary school, a spokesman for the district attorney said.

A call to a number listed for Gemme’s lawyer, Carol S. Wheeler, was not returned Monday.

According to prosecutors, Gemme allegedly siphoned the cash from the parish and school starting in January 2008.

Last October, Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester wrote in a letter posted on the St. Bernadette website that Gemme had resigned his position after spending more than $120,000 in parish funds and more than $110,000 from the St. Bernadette School for personal expenditures.

McManus first learned of the missing money in July 2013 when a member of the St. Bernadette School Advisory Board came to him with concerns about spending from an account in the school budget, he wrote in the letter.

The next day, McManus met with Gemme, who admitted he had a gambling problem, the bishop said.

McManus then revoked Gemme’s check-signing privileges, requested a review of parish finances, and arranged a medical leave for Gemme to undergo treatment for gambling addiction.

He also asked parishioners to pray for Gemme and all gambling addicts.

Ray Delisle, a spokesman for the diocese, declined to comment on the indictment and wrote Monday in an e-mail that Gemme “has not had faculties [authority] to serve as a priest in public ministry in any capacity” since leaving the parish.