Former St. Bernadette pastor pleads not guilty to $240K theft

By Gary V. Murray
Telegram & Gazette
August 27, 2014

http://www.telegram.com/article/20140827/NEWS/308279666/1116

WORCESTER— The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, the 44-year-old former pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Northboro, pleaded not guilty today to charges of stealing nearly $240,000 from the parish and its school to support a gambling addiction.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Carol S. Wheeler, Rev. Gemme entered not-guilty pleas in Worcester Superior Court to five counts of larceny of more than $250 by a common scheme. Judge Janet Kenton-Walker released the Catholic priest on personal recognizance and continued his case to Oct. 7.

The thefts, more than $110,000 from a school account and in excess of $120,000 in parish money, allegedly occurred over a five-year span beginning in 2008, according to the indictments handed up Aug. 21 by a Worcester County grand jury. Rev. Gemme had been appointed to the parish in 2003.

Bishop Robert J. McManus removed him as pastor of St. Bernadette's last year, after being advised by a member of the school's advisory board of financial irregularities in a school account. The bishop said he met with Rev. Gemme the next day and the priest acknowledged a gambling problem.

Bishop McManus said he immediately revoked Rev. Gemme's authorization to sign checks, and arrangements were made for a medical leave of absence so the priest could seek treatment for his gambling problem.

The matter was referred to the district attorney's office by the bishop, who said he planned to request full restitution for the parish and its K-8 school.

Assistant District Attorney John A. O'Leary told Judge Kenton-Walker during Rev. Gemme's arraignment this morning that he was not requesting bail for the former pastor, because he did not consider him a flight risk. Mr. O'Leary said Rev. Gemme had been aware of the investigation into the thefts for months and had been in constant communication with the district attorney's office through his lawyer.

The prosecutor said the priest, originally from Westminster, was a lifelong resident of Worcester County, where his elderly parents also reside.

Rev. Gemme taught for five years at St. Peter-Marian Junior-Senior High School before entering the seminary.