Former Seymour Priest Hopes to Resolve Criminal Case

By Ethan Fry
Valley Independent Sentinel
June 22, 2016

http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/Former_Seymour_Priest_Hopes_To_Resolve_Criminal_Case/

Father Kombo.

The Seymour priest accused of stealing money from his church applied for a pretrial program Tuesday meant for first-time offenders.

If the Rev. Honore Kombo’s application for “accelerated rehabilitation” is accepted and he complies with the court’s requests, the criminal case could be dismissed.

Kombo was relieved of his duties at St. Augustine Church on Washington Avenue in July 2015, after discrepancies were found in the church’s financial statements.

Seymour police arrested Kombo in March, alleging he took tens of thousands of dollars intended for the church. He was charged with first-degree larceny, a felony.

Kombo’s lawyer, William Paetzold, said Kombo applied for “accelerated rehabilitation” during a court appearance at Superior Court in Milford.

The program, which circumvents a criminal trial, is available to non-violent, first-time offenders.

If a judge grants the application, the case would be continued for up to two years during which a defendant must stay out of trouble and meet any conditions — such as restitution.

Paetzold said Kombo wants to pay back the money he took by his next court date, which is scheduled for July 26.

“We plan on making restitution prior to the next hearing,” Paetzold said.

In interviews with detectives cited in an arrest warrant, Kombo allegedly told cops that he had “no ill intentions,” with the embezzled church funds. Kombo told investigators the money went to support programs in his native Congo, and would be paid back.

Early in the investigation, the priest allegedly offered to cut checks to the parish totaling more than $50,000 to pay back the church.

Church leaders refused.

“When it comes to any illegal activity – like embezzlement or pedophilia – the Church no longer ‘cuts deals.’ If you do the crime, you do the time,” Kombo’s replacement, the Rev. Kevin Forsyth, told parishioners during a mass in March.

Forsyth referred questions to the Hartford archdiocese Wednesday. A spokesperson did not return an email seeking comment Wednesday.

Paetzold will file a memo in court prior to the hearing detailing the reasons why Kombo should be accepted into the diversionary program.

The archdiocese and presumably the parish have the opportunity to give an opinion regarding whether Kombo’s accelerated rehab application should be approved.

The prosecution also has the chance to speak about Kombo’s application.

State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor said Wednesday that he has not yet taken a position on it.

Lawlor said he’ll review the documents filed by Paetzold and consult with church officials before deciding whether to object.

The arrest warrant in the case, citing a lawyer representing the church, said that Kombo owed the church $33,492.12.

According to court documents, Kombo was living in Weston when he was arrested in March.

At the time, Forsyth addressed the Kombo situation during a Sunday service. He said money Kombo allegedly diverted from annuities meant for the church would be repaid.

But individual parishioners who entrusted Kombo with donations would not be as lucky, the priest told parishioners.

“Not only did Father take funds internally, he also asked many of you for donations,” Forsyth said. “Some of you gave him large sums of money — thousands of dollars. One person gave him a check for $10,000. I’m sorry to say, but the only way those personal donations could be returned to you is if you bring him to court. Why? The parish funds he embezzled — he took illegally. The donations you gave him, he received as a gift. He didn’t steal them from you. You freely gave him those funds — a sad but legal distinction.”

A search of the state Judicial Branch’s website revealed no civil lawsuits against Kombo Wednesday.