Ex-priest Promises to Repay $33,000

By Frank Juliano
CT Post
June 23, 2016

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Ex-priest-promises-to-repay-33-000-8320861.php

Rev. Honore Kombo, a Roman Catholic Priest was arrested by Seymour Police Detectives Feb. 29, 2016 for embezzling money from St. Augustine Church in Seymour. Photo: Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo

A priest charged with stealing thousands of dollars from his Seymour church has applied for pre-trial probation, a program for first offenders, the Valley Independent Sentinel reports.

If the Rev. Honore Kombo’s application for accelerated rehabilitation is accepted, the felony charge of first-degree larceny could be dismissed. He was arrested in late February, eight months after he was relieved of his duties at St. Augustine Church by the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Kombo, 50, said during an appearance Tuesday in Milford Superior Court that he intends to repay the nearly $34,000 by his next court date on July 26, the Valley Indy reports.

The former St. Augustine pastor, now living in Weston, allegedly embezzled at least $20,000 willed to the parish as well as checks written to the church. He is free on a $10,000 bond.

Last July, Kombo was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Hartford, which advised him in November that he could no longer serve as a priest.

Representatives from the Hartford Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation and officials of St. Augustine Church told police they had information that Kombo misappropriated money willed to the church by a deceased parishioner.

The parishioner had willed five annuities to the church, but only four were reported to church officials. The police investigation found that Kombo filed the paperwork to obtain the proceeds for the fifth annuity, according to Satkowski.

On May 6, 2013, a check was made payable to St. Augustine’s, but allegedly deposited by Kombo into a bank account he created, police said. He then transferred portions of this account, as well as checks written to the church, into his personal account, according to police.

Additionally the police investigation found that on Oct. 18, 2013, Kombo opened a line of credit in the church’s name at a bank and began depositing money from it into his own account.

Satkowski said Kombo cooperated with detectives during their investigation.